Photo by Dan Kistler 2024 – Dream of Me
T W O T H E M E S – 2 0 2 5 !!
An Elsah Still Life:
This is definitely an opportunity to arrange and create your own sense of what an Elsah still life might be. Do not interpret this as necessarily an interior shot, though it certainly could be.
The Majesty of Trees:
We love our trees and find their presence both inspiring and nurturing. They add grace to our homes and create a beautiful village in which to life! We know you’ll find a way to capture their magnificence!
Choose either or both of them!
Registration coming soon.
T I M E L I N E
- Entries submitted/postmarked by 01.11.25
- Selected artists notified by 02.01.25 – A list of the photographers selected for the exhibit will be posted on the HEF and Escape to Elsah websites, and also notified by email.
- Shipped art due to Elsah by 03.01.25
- Hand Delivered accepted 03.01 and 03.02.25, 2-4pm, at Village Museum, 26 LaSalle, Elsah
- Opening Reception & Awards 04.05.25 3-4pm, Village Museum, 26 Lasalle, Elsah, IL 62028
- Exhibit closes 07.06.25, 4pm
- Photos picked up on 07.06.25, 1-4pm (Museum open on Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 pm only)
$1,250 in AWARDS for 2025
Best of Show $400 Plus a night’s stay at Green Tree Inn
First, Second, and Third Place
$300, $200, $100;
& $50 for a Creative Youth Award!
The exhibition reception and presentation of awards will be held in the Elsah Village Museum. All participants, their families and friends are invited. In the event the circumstance require an adjustment to these plans we will post an update on EscapetoElsah.com and HistoricElsah.org, as well as reach out to the exhibiting photographers with updated information by email.
S U B M I S S I O N S
For the jury process, we accept high-quality, digital images of photography (no film)- up to 7MB each – 4 x 6 inches.
All works must be original and completed within the last two years. Works previously exhibit in the Elsah Photo Exhibit are not eligible. Upon being accepted, all photographs must be framed and ready to hang with a wire. Framed works cannot exceed 16” x 20”. Minimum printed image size is 8” x 10”.
For questions regarding submissions, email: Danne Rhaesa, Exhibit Coordinator: [email protected] or leave message at 618-946-7532.
S H I P P I N G
After notification, accepted work may be mailed, shipped, or hand-delivered to the Elsah Village Museum at the photographer’s expense. Mailed works must arrive by 03.01.25 between 2-4pm, return postage must be included. Hand-delivered works must arrive on either Saturday or Sunday, 03.02.25 or 03.03.25 between 2-4pm. Works must be in well packed, reusable cartons, or crates. All must have wires for wall hanging. Plexy can be used, but NO GLASS!
L I A B I L I T Y
Appropriate care will be taken in the handling of photos and museum staff will secure the safety of the work. HEF is responsible for works of art only while they are on the property of the museum. Works in transit are the responsibility of the entrant and they are advised to purchase insurance.
HEF reserves the right to photograph works in the exhibit for publicity, educational and archival purposes. HEF does not discriminate with regard to race, gender, age, national origin, disability, religion, or veteran status.
P I C K – U P P H O T O S
After the exhibition closes, on Sunday, June 23, 2025, works may be picked up at 4pm, or the following day, Sunday between 1-4pm. Please make arrangements for the safe return of your framed images. The Museum is only open on Saturday and Sundays between 1-4pm. Shipped works will be returned during July, in the shipping materials provided by the photographer, using the return postage included by the photographer. The shipping materials must be provided for return shipping. If not, the abandoned photos will be kept in the museum during the month of July and discarded, if not retrieved by July 28, 2025.
PHOTOGRAPHY JUROR – 2025 CARMEN TROESSER
Troesser is an editor and lifestyle photographer based in the Midwest. In 2023, she earned First Place in the International Color Awards – Outstanding Achievement in Wildlife; in 2022 she was the Winner of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award; in 2021, the Julia Margaret Cameron Award Honorable Mention; in 2019, she was a FoodPhoto Festival Juror; also, a Great Plains Journalism Award Winner; In 2017, a FoodPhoto Festival Exhibitor and Overall Winner, and also was awarded Communication Arts Award of Excellence.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in painting and graduated with a Master’s Degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri in 1993. Troesser travels for assignments from her bases in Chicago and her family’s Missouri farm.