Mark Zulkoskey’s photograph of a train crossing the Qu’appelle River Dam at sunset won best in show.
Zulkoskey, the current president of the club, fondly recalls how he was offered a free membership in 2014 after finishing in first place at a photography contest in Prince Albert at the exhibition centre.
After the passing of club founder Geoffrey Payton in December 2020, and the onset of the COVID pandemic, he said the club was deeply affected.
“It really caused us to pivot. Like many organizations, we meet in person because there is value in connecting together as a group.”
The group holds meetings once a month, and Zulkoskey, who acknowledged how busy families are with sports and that people are working multiple jobs to make ends meet, said recruitment is a challenge.
“But we seem to have really good retention. People come to the club and they stick around because they see value in it.”
Agnes L’Heureux’s photograph was inspired by items from her childhood, including the lamp her mom and dad received as a wedding gift, her dad’s old guitar, and the trunk she received from her brother-in-law as a graduation gift. She said she loves being part of the club.
“It’s interesting, and I’m really learning a lot. It really brings out the artistic things in you, and you want to keep trying,” she said.
L’Heureux was last year’s winner of the Geoffrey Payton Award, an especially touching honour since she was one of his students.
“He was just so articulate. I just loved learning from him, and I wish I could have been around him sooner. You know, he was really interesting,” she said.
The exhibit, which features 21 photographs, can be viewed until the end of the month.
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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com
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