Local Gundagai photographer Elizabeth Medynskyj of ‘Lizzy Ann Art’ has been announced as the winner of the 2025 Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail Winter Photo Competition, with her photo of Tony Davis’s ‘Folly Interstice’, which can be found at Sugar Pines visitor area near Laurel Hill, in Bago State Forest.
Lizzy said this win is especially important to her as it is the first photography competition she has entered.
“This was actually the first photography competition I’ve ever entered, so winning feels incredibly special – and honestly, a bit surreal. What makes it even more meaningful is that the prize is an experience, being part of something bigger than myself, connecting with new people, and doing what I love by being creative in such a beautiful coastal setting.”
“I’ve always been passionate about photography, art, and the outdoors, so this opportunity brings all of those things together in a really unique and inspiring way,” Lizzy said.
Lizzy will be joining a team of photographers for one day at the Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2025 exhibition, which runs from 17 October to 3 November, as well as a two-night stay in Bondi during the exhibition.
“I’ve always loved photography and dabbled in it over the years, but painting is usually my main focus. What really sparked my recent inspiration with photography was a trip to New Zealand earlier this year – I took my camera everywhere and now I just can’t put it down!”
“Winning this competition feels like a bit of encouragement to keep shooting and see where it takes me. That’s one of the things I love about photography; you have to be out in the world in order to capture something interesting in a unique moment in time.
“For me, it’s all part of the interest and fun,” Lizzy said.
The Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail Winter Photo Competition is open to amateur and professional photographers, and this year it attracted more than 50 entries.
Several other photographers were recognised with honourable mentions, including:
• Tim McDonald for his photo ‘Folly Interstice’, Tony Davis (WA);
• Cynthia Swain White for her photo ‘Seated Man’, Sean Henry (England);
• Brad Weintraub with his photo ‘Transporter’, Dale Miles (NSW);
• Snowy Blog for their photo ‘Shiver House’, Neon (England and Finland);
• Caroline Cattle for her photo ‘Universum’, Václav Fiala (Czech Republic);
• Obsession Wines for their photo ‘Locus of Time’, Takeshi Tanabe (Japan),
• Chantelle Bruton for her photo ‘Seated Man’, Sean Henry (England)
Founding CEO and Artistic Director of Sculpture by the Sea, David Handley, selected the winning entry. The 150km Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail encompasses 64 sculptures spread across 13 locations stretching from Adelong, Batlow, Talbingo, Tumbarumba, Tooma and Khancoban and includes cellar doors and a Sculpture Forest.
This year’s photo competition highlighted local talent and reinforced the trail’s reputation as one of the state’s most unique outdoor galleries.
– Emily Flint
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