Several months ago, I entered the Georgia Council for the Arts Contest and figured the deadline had already passed on when the winners were to be picked.
I had not heard anyt hing and pretty much given up.
The contest is artw ork showing the beauty of Georgia sent in to judges. The winners have their work hanging in the Governor's office for a year or longer.
Before 2015, I had been working on my “Zirkle To Alaska” book. I had made a trip to Providence Canyon on the southwest corner of Georgia and thought that I had a good picture to enter of the red clay.
I entered it and it won. I had to take the photo to Atlanta and get pictures with then Governor Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra.
I didn’t win in 2016, but in 2017 I sent in one of my favorite photos of the Satilla River out of my “Satilla Solitude” book and it won.
Another trip to Atlanta and another picture with Governor Deal and his wife.
I have not won since 2017, but this year I sent one of a Great Blue Heron in the Okefenokee Swamp and it won.
Now, I am waiting to see when I have to take the photo to Atlanta, get pictures with Governor Brian Kemp and hang it for at least a year in his office.
I have little use for politics or making a trip to Atlanta, but I figure this is something that I need to do to help promote my photography and south Georgia.
Plus, winning this contest three different years (2015, 2017 and 2024) is something that I am personally very proud of.
• Wayne Morgan is freelance wildlife photographer and author.
Wayne Morgan’s Georgia County for the Arts previous winning photos include Providence Canyon (left) in 2015 and Satilla River in 2017.
