GRAND CASE:--- People of all ages are invited to showcase St. Martin heritage, and their talent, in the 2014 Heritage Photo Contest, now officially open for entries. The Heritage Photo Contest and Exhibition was developed by the Les Fruits de Mer Association to give tourists and residents alike an opportunity to celebrate art created here on the island, and to engage residents–especially kids–in thinking about their heritage. The 2014 Heritage Photo Contest and Exhibition is managed by the Les Fruits de Mer Association, with funding from Be the Change SXM.
"We're really excited to be working with Be The Change SXM on this platform to inspire and display local art," says Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. "We've gotten some great entries already, and we can't wait to see more of the amazing talent on this island. So get creative, or look at photos you've already taken–and hit us with your best shots!"
The theme of this year's contest, "Vibrant and Vulnerable," was chosen to raise awareness about the island's unique natural, cultural and historic heritage, as well as the threats facing this heritage and the need to preserve it. "We hope this contest will be a chance to share and promote many of the things that make this island so special," explains Les Fruits de Mer co-founder Mark Yokoyama. "We hope it can also serve as a focal point to understand, discuss and act on the things that put this special heritage at risk." Yokoyama, an avid photographer, adds: "Plus we also want to give everyone a great excuse to get out there and take a lot of amazing pictures!"
Organizers designed the contest to include everyone, and to empower children and youth to enter with a special Under 18 award category and other initiatives. "We'd love this to be an opportunity for kids and teens to explore photography for the first time," says Yokoyama. "For young people who are already into photography, it creates a showcase for what they're doing." Teachers and leaders of student and youth groups who are interested in getting their kids involved are encouraged to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.
The contest is free and open to every age, and everyone is welcome to enter as many times as they like. People who want to enter should submit their entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by May 31, 2014. Each entry should include two original photos taken on St. Martin/St. Maarten by the person entering (one representing a "Vibrant" aspect of the island, and the other a "Vulnerable" aspect), a brief statement explaining why those photos were chosen, full name, and age and date of birth if under 18. All qualifying entries will go on display in the online Heritage Gallery, and selected entries will be featured in the Heritage Photo Exhibition, which will be held in June. Awards will be given for the winning entries in three categories: Adult, Under 18 and People's Choice, and prizes will be announced during the entry period.
For more information about the Heritage Photo Contest and Exhibition, including the full rules and a sample entry, visit: http://www.lesfruitsdemer.com/category/vibrant-and-vulnerable/