University Hosts Reception, Photography Lecture Wednesday

Winners of a juried photography contest sponsored by Texas A&M International University's Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society (AKD) will be announced during a special reception Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Great Room of the University's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library (room 319).

The public is cordially invited to attend the reception and a special presentation which follows by noted photographer J. Michael Short, photojournalist with The Laredo Morning Times.

Themed "Images of A Borderless Society," the contest aims to capture a lasting record of Laredo's unique borderless society. The Best of Show entry will be awarded an overall cash prize of $500. First, second and third place entries for each of the three competition categories (black and white, color and digital photography) will be awarded $200, $100 and $50.

Winning photographs, and all submitted entries, will be displayed during the reception. Winning entries will also be displayed at the Laredo Center for the Arts at a later date.

The presentation by J. Michael Short, titled "100 Years of Socially Conscious Documentary Photography," will examine the socially conscious documentary photography done during the 1930s and 40s by American photographers such as Walker Evans, Dorthea Lange and Russell Lee. Short will also look at one of the century's most influential photographers, W. Eugene Smith, whose work still resonates 20 years after his death.

In addition to providing the special presentation, Short served as a juror for the contest. Other jurors include Gabriel Castillo, special events coordinator and assistant VP for Marketing at International Bank of Commerce; Martha Gonzalez, executive director, Laredo Center for the Arts; Linda Jennett, board member, Laredo Center for the Arts; Charles G. T. Johnson, local interior/landscape designer; Janet E. Krueger, assistant professor of Art at A&M International, and Oralia Roach, photographer and associate director of public affairs and information services at A&M International.

The contest and presentation are sponsored by the AKD in association with the Laredo Center for the Arts and A&M International. Event organizers are Veronica Martinez and Tamara Casso, A&M International students and AKD members.

Proceeds from the contest will support graduate sociology student scholarships at A&M International.

For additional information, contact Veronica Martinez at (956) 326-2322, email to veronica@tamiu.edu or tcasso@icsi.net.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu