Shutterbug Showdown
The Library is happy to share our second annual community photography contest! Details for entry and voting are below.
What is it? & When is it starting?
The Zelienople Area Public Library (ZAPL) is celebrating the artist in each of us with our second annual community photography show! This year’s theme is "The Four Seasons".
April 14th-30th: Entries Accepted
May 7th, 6pm: Opening Reception
May 7th- May 21st: Community Voting Open
May 22nd, 6pm- Closing Reception and Winners Announced
Who can participate?
The Zelienople Area Public Library (ZAPL) is celebrating the photographer in each of us with the return of the Shutterbug Showdown! ZAPL invites any library card holder to submit their original photographs. Don’t have a library card…plan a visit to our library and get one (it’s free)!
Age Group Categories
Youth – Under 18
Adult – Age 18-59
Seniors – Age 60+
Start by filling out the entry form- download it here!
Anyone who visits the library once the show is open is invited to participate in community voting to help select winners!
Contest Rules & Guidelines
We welcome photographers of all levels of experience. This year’s contest will have a theme, The Four Seasons, offering amateur photographers of all ages an opportunity to showcase photos that capture the beauty and diversity of our world throughout our seasons. Participants are encouraged to submit their best shots representing the unique characteristics of spring, summer, autumn, or winter.
This is an ALL AGES show. Please make sure that the work you submit consists of community-friendly content. Before submitting work to this show, please consider that the library is a public space and that this show will be open to an audience ranging from children to senior citizens. While submission or participation is encouraged and appreciated, pieces containing subject matter deemed inappropriate for public exhibition may be excluded from the show. Please take this into consideration before finalizing your submissions and thank you for your understanding and compliance.
How to Enter
There is a $10 participation fee, which will be used to award cash prizes to the winners. Each fee includes up to TWO (2) photo entries.
Applications, photographs and entry fee must be received by 6 pm on April 30, 2025. A maximum of two (2) photos per entry fee. Each photo submitted must be 8”x10” size mounted on foam board no larger than 11”x14” with your name and photo title on the back. Please use double-sided tape to mount your photos. Submitted photos should be original and previously unpublished in a commercial endeavor. Submissions may be included on our website, Facebook page and/or other electronic and print communications.
Paper forms are available at the Zelienople Area Public Library (ZAPL) or can be downloaded <<HERE>>. Applications, photos, and entry fee will be accepted from 04/14/2025-04/30/2025. We encourage early submission of applications in case we run out of space. Paper forms and entry fee may be mailed or dropped off at the library circulation desk. Applicants may pay by cash, check or credit card at the Zelienople Area Public Library. Make checks payable to: Zelienople Area Public Library
Prizes
Judge’s Choice first- and second-place selections in each age group will receive a cash award. The dollar amount will depend on the number of entry fees received.
Community Choice first- and second-place winners in each age group will receive a Swag Bag of goodies from local businesses.
Judges for this exciting showdown include Zelienople’s Elliott Cramer, of Elliott Cramer Photo + Video; last year’s adult winner and local Facebook favorite, Andrew Barclay; and William Penberthy of Penberthy Studio.
The winners will be revealed at a reception held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 6 pm.
Community Voting
Stop by the Zelienople Area Public Library to support not only our local library, but also your neighbor’s entries, during library hours: Mon-Thurs 10-7, Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5. Community voting will be held from May 7 through May 21, 2025.
Each library cardholder will be given two (2) complimentary vote tickets. Additional tickets are available—two (2) for each $1.00 donation.
Sponsorships
Event Coordination
This event committee is a dedicated group of volunteers devoted to showcasing the creative talents of the people living in this community while sharing the benefits of maintaining a high-quality library in our region. We are looking forward to the Shutterbug Showdown becoming an annual event highlighting various types of photography each year.
We depend on our generous sponsors and volunteers and we thank them for all their help getting this event off the ground.
Committee Volunteers
Susan Collier Karen Hungerford
Karen Cramer Gretchen McMichael
Michelle Gibbs Kim Saunders
Library Staff Liaisons
Cyndi Peluso Alyssa Smith
For other questions please call the library at 724-452-9330