Announcing the 2026 Historic Elsah Photo Exhibit Participants!
The 2026 Historic Elsah Museum Competition and Exhibit is excited to announce the following Photographers have had photographs accepted into Elsah’s 2026 Photography Exhibit.
The exhibit opens April 4, 3-4pm, Saturday, at the Elsah Village Museum, 26 LaSalle Street, Elsah, Il. Awards will be announced during the Opening Reception at 3pm.
The public, residents of Elsah, as well as friends and family of the participants are invited to attend:
- Joan Baker
- Cindy Gallo Callan
- Dawn Isbel
- Dan Kistler
- Lauren Lloyd
- Michael Matney
- Marty McKay
- Mary Odhiambo
- Sam Odhiambo
- Rosa Renner
- Christina Samoore
- Carolyn Schlueter
- Jeffrey Vaughn
- Suzanne Vogel
The photographers entered their images under one of two themes: It’s the Little Things, or Portraits; People, Pets and Porches. Some entered both categories! We’re delighted with their enthusiasm and unique views of Elsah and its surrounds! Twenty-three outstanding images will make up a memorable exhibit! Photos will be on display at the museum, April 4 – June 28, 2026. If you run into them, please congratulate these 14 individuals for their creative efforts!
The awards will be announced at the Elsah Museum’s opening, April 4: Best of Show ($500), First Place ($300), Second Place ($200), and Third Place ($100), Honorable Mentions ($25) and a Youth Award.
The Juror, Melanie Stetson Freeman, is an International staff photographer for the Christian Science Monitor, since 1985. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri, and holds a history degree from Principia College. She lived in Elsah during her undergraduate time. While traveling the world for news and feature stories, she has her home base in Boston, MA. You can find examples of her photo stories and journalism here: https://www.csmonitor.com/About/People/Melanie-Stetson-Freeman
Photo: Jeffrey Vaughn, Autumn Steeple, 2025