Holland, Michigan: Resthaven Care Center, a Holland-based, not-for-profit senior living provider is excited to announce the second edition of “Bringing the Outside, In” a photography competition and exhibit. The primary focus of this exhibit is to enhance the quality of life and experience for Resthaven Care Center residents by showcasing photographs that evoke memories, stimulate conversations, and forge connections.
Additionally, it seeks to offer local photographers an opportunity for recognition and appreciation for their contributions to this meaningful initiative. The inaugural competition had almost 100 amazing photos submitted by over 50 photographers from the local photography community.
The 2025 exhibit theme is “Up Close Along the Lakeshore.” The theme is open to interpretation of the photographer with the following guidance. Ideally, images will represent and capture the beauty of the numerous lakeshores of West Michigan. We encourage the capture of local landscapes, points of interest, animals, events or places of familiarity to Southwest Michigan (Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Kent, Van Buren, Barry, Newago, Berrien, Oceana, and Kalamazoo Counties).This could include subjects as small as macros or close-ups, but could also include patterns found within larger scenes, or images that capture the idea of lakeshore.
The 2025 exhibit will again be a juried show with local award-winning photographer Cari Povenz serving as judge for the competition. Cari is a nature photographer based in West Michigan. She uses realistic and creative-expressive forms to communicate the mystery and wonder she finds in God’s creation. Her photography has received awards and been in select publications such as Audubon, Birds and Blooms, Country, National Wildlife and Nature Photographer. Cari shares her passion for nature photography with her husband, Joe, who is also an award-winning photographer. Some of Cari’s amazing captures can be seen on her website. Cari’s image “Indigo” was the 3rd place Judge’s Choice winner in last year’s competition.
Resthaven will be accepting digital submissions for the exhibit February 1-28, 2025. There will be no submission/entry fee and Resthaven will covers printing costs of the exhibit. There will be 20 photographs selected for a curated exhibit with an additional 15 images selected for a gallery exhibit. Of the selected photographs there will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Judge’s Choice with prizes of $200.00, $150.00, and $100.00 respectively and a People’s Choice winner with prize of $150.00. All selected exhibit and gallery photographs will be displayed with photographer recognition. An exhibit unveiling event is planned for mid-April 2025.
For more details, specific competition and exhibit rules, and submission instructions, download the 2025 Photo Exhibit Rules and Guidelines or email photos@resthaven.org.