The Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) partnered with the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service to host the Downtown Winchester Photo Challenge on August 23rd during Main Street Winchester’s Sip & Stroll. Participants checked in at the Winchester Design Studio where they received 8 photo prompts and then used those prompts to take 8 photos showcasing downtown Winchester. Rather than traditional prompts like historical building or street sign, these cues were an opportunity to take creative photos that fit broad categories such as transportation and parallel lines.  The variety of photos submitted ranged from snapshots of classic cars from the cruise-in to a picture of a local business owner in a police cruiser.  There were 104 photos submitted in all.  The first place winner was Beth Smith, a lifelong resident of Winchester, who said she was excited to participate because photography has always interested her. In second place was Patience Stamper, a student at Baker Intermediate School. Sarah Clarke, the third place winner, is new to Winchester, and said that “The photo challenge was very neat because it made exploring town a fun game.” Winners were awarded $100, $50, and $25 respectively. You can see some of the winning photos on the Winchester Design Studio’s Facebook page.

Local Clark County Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Shonda Johnston stated, “I loved how everyone had the same words but there were so many different ‘answers’ to the question. It’s a great way to show how we all see and process things from different perspectives.”