ACP's "My Atlanta" Photo Exhibition (CREATIVE LOAFING) October 12, 2011 This year’s Atlanta Celebrates Photography giant push-pin exhibition “My Atlanta,” is currently on display at the Piedmont Park Community Center. The exhibition features over 700 images shot by more than 300 photographers. At “My Atlanta” photographers of all ages and with all levels of experience exhibit their work and compete for prizes. The general public, Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools and Senior Centers are all featured in this exhibit. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Viewing hours are 9 am – 1 pm Saturday, October 15, Saturday, October 22 and Saturday, October 29 at the Piedmont Park Community Center, 1071 Piedmont Avenue (Park Entrance at 12th street). Creative Loafing’s Photo Editor Joeff Davis, CL Art Director Chris Mihal and Freelance Art Critic and Curator Jerry Cullum were joined (and prodded) by members of the ACP staff to judge the annual exhibition last week. Prizes were awarded in 9 categories. This gallery features the winners and statements by the photographers about their work. Statements compiled and edited by Joeff Davis By Joeff Davis (showing full size)KELSEY SASSER Kelsey Sasser Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School Winner, Critics Choice Title: Cripisis (combining the words cripple and crisis) "Perfect hair. Perfect nails. Beautiful clothes. Attractive boyfriend. Dream house. The epitome of perfection. As a child, Barbie is a girl’s best friend. My goal for this picture was to take the ideal image of perfect little Barbie and challenge the notion of real beauty. I cut her hair and her dress, covered her in dirt, tore off one of her legs, and tried to set her on fire. Although Barbie proves to be flame retardant." "The picture I took paints a picture of a broken, useless creature, no longer desirable to the world. No longer a girl’s best friend. She has become nothing more than common garbage that needs to be thrown awa y. Somehow, through mangled grit and grime, Barbie’s face still resonates her flawless beauty. Finding the beauty in negative places proves hard to some, but for others when that nut is cracked, the true beauty shines through more powerful than before."
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"Because I was injured in a car accident at the age of six and had to grow up with my paralysis, I have dealt with
experiences that most people will never go through. It has been ingrained in my mind to look beyond the typical
descriptions of normal and beauty. None of us are perfect and everybody hurts. I for one will vouch for that, but one thing
have learned through my disability is that you can either laugh or cry. You can try to find the beauty and the fun in
everything or you can be miserable and live a horrible life. This broken down Barbie speaks to me, it sums up how no
matter how broken down and difficult something seems to be, there is hope."
"I entered my photograph not expecting my pieces to win anything or let alone be recognized. For my picture to be chosen
as Critic’s Choice, when the judges knew nothing of my situation, proves that no matter who you are or what you have
gone through, good things can happen. Art speaks for itself. And as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”.-
Kelsey Sasser
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KIRK M. LALOR
Kirk M. Lalor
2nd Place, Adult Category
"It was negative 35 degrees below zero and, Maggie, the dog was running around like it was springtime.
My wife and daughter were looking at my wife's frost bitten fingers when I saw Maggie coming and tookthe picture as she ran through the frame. Maggie flying through the air was a happy accident." - Kirk M.
"This photograph was a spontaneous moment during a routine trip to the local store the Hop N Shop forbagged ice. I had expected her to "park" her trike out front and walk in with me but as I opened the door,
Audrey Rose just peddled right past me! A little embarrassed, I hurried to get her off the trike but the clerk
stopped me and said it was all right. Good thing, because she'd already made it to the candy aisle."
"When I shot this image I was thinking I am so happy I thought to grab my camera as we headed out the
door."
"For me this picture represents the "Terrible Twos," of course, which really aren't that terrible ... complete
with tattoos, tutu and battle scars (bruises) on the baddest bike in town. She's a tough girl ... breakin' the
rules. Look at that sideways glance! As her mom, I'm so in for it."
"It also represents the humor that can be derived from everyday life with a toddler. A seemingly ordinary
moment in time can quickly turn into an unexpected one when you add a little person to the equation. It is
"I am particularly pleased with the composition and colors in this photograph. The colorful backgroundcompliments the dancers. The geometry of the subjects captures the movement. The accordion player
seems bored while the dancers are seemingly serious in their efforts to please the nearby tourists."
"I knew I had a potentially interesting photo. Capturing just the right geometric moment was key; the
expression of the dancers and the accordion player. This colorful yet lighthearted scene was exactly what