The Arboretum Awards
Photo Contest Winner Lilac Tree


Dave Horst, horticulturist at the arboretum gives planting directions to Kelly Johnson, Clinton, Best in Show winner of the spring photography contest. This unique tree, one of only a few in Clinton, is a lilac on a standard, developed at Bailey Nursery in St. Paul, Minnesota and is one of the Fairy Tale series: "Sugar Plum Fairy."

 
Ever since Kelly Johnson was ten years old and borrowed her mother's camera to take a picture, she has been interested in photography. "As a student at Whittier School when I watched the prairie burn, I promised myself to try to always carry a camera with me," Johnson said. Now as a graduating senior at Clinton High School with plans to attend University of Northern Iowa to study education, Kelly entered the first Bickelhaupt Arboretum Photo Contest last month and won Best in Show. The contest was coordinated by Master Gardener Bill Cornelius and judged by Carolyn Philips, painter and educator who has exhibited artworks both regionally and in national juried art exhibitions throughout the country. There were entries in three categories: Nature and Landscape, Animals/Wildlife and People. Entries were to be titled.

Johnson's winner "Magnolia Trees" won first place in Nature and Landscape and then Best of Show. The photograph can be seen on the arboretum website at www.bickarb.org and in the display window of the River Arts Center, 229 5th Avenue South after June 1.

Bill Cornelius, Arboretum Webmaster, who developed the contest guidelines, recognized that the arboretum at 340 S. 14th street provides year-round opportunities for photography. Cornelius, said, "I am very excited to see

that the many hours of organizing this spring contest paid off.

The depth of entries encourages us to offer the opportunity for competition again in June." Cornelius has started The Muddy River Camera Club in Clinton where the first meeting drew more than 25 camera enthusiasts. The next meeting will be at 7:00 pm, Monday, June 4 at the arboretum. Interested photographers of all skill levels are invited.

The arboretum is collaborating with the Clinton Art Association. Martha Hayes, coordinator of exhibits explains, "Promoting awareness of the arts while providing opportunities for all to participate actively in a healthy art environment is the mission of the CAA. We are pleased to bring appreciation of the arts to downtown Clinton through this display of outdoor photography."

Other winners in the contest included:

Nature and Landscape
1st place - "Magnolia Trees" by Kelly Johnson
2nd place - "Crabapple Collection" by Christie Bjornsen
3rd place - "Creek Near the Butterfly Garden" by Kelly Johnson
Honorable Mention - "A Flower by the Waterfall" Mel Marilim
Honorable Mention - "Beauty of Necessity" by Stephanie Bracker-Reggelsen
Honorable Mention - "Ballerina Magnolia" by Cynthia Calhoun

People
1st place - "Firestarters" by Stephanie Bracken-Reggelsen

Animals and Wildlife
1st place - "TheyÕve All Gone" by Stephanie Bracken-Reggelsen
2nd place - "A Furry Friend" by Sarah Wiederholt
3rd place - "Ladybug on a Jonquil" by Lanie Lass

Best in Contest
"Magnolia Trees" by Kelly Johnson

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