Penumbra Gallery and Studio in downtown Sylva will hold the opening of its First Annual Photography Competition and Exhibition on Saturday, March 27th, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit, which runs through April 25th, comprises 58 images created by 39 artists. A wide variety of photographic mediums are represented, including color, black and white, digital, and alternative processes.

Sarah Torina and Matthew Turlington, the owners of the gallery, judged the competition. Torina and Turlington made their selections from 225 images submitted by artists in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, and Maine. About half of the entries came from photographers in Western North Carolina, including members of photography groups in Asheville and Franklin and students at Western Carolina University. Members of the Jackson County Visual Arts Association in Sylva and area semi-professionals added to the show’s strong local presence.

“If we had to choose a theme for this first event we would say the exhibition is mostly about celebrating photography,” said Turlington. “We want to bring the photographers of the area together for a great time and also give our community something to enjoy.”

“We are very excited,” added Torina, “The images we put together with the cooperation of the artists are extraordinary, and it is going to be a great exhibition offering something for everyone.”

Torina and Turlington are photographic artists themselves and use their gallery, which opened in July 2003, primarily to showcase their own work. This will be the first event where they share their space with other photographers, and they plan to hold the competition every year to encourage photographers in the area and give them an outlet for their work.

Penumbra Gallery and Studio, located at 534 West Main St., is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.

Penumbra can be reached at 828-631-5278 or by email at mail@penumbragallery.com. They are also online at www.penumbragallery.com