Transcript Staff

Winners of the NSIA, the Sister City International Travel Photo Contest have been announced. The contest was held at the Native Roots Market in conjunction with the Spring Art Walk. Refreshments, decorations and music at the reception for winners and guests represented Norman's three sister cities Clermont-Ferrand, France, Colima, Mexico, and Seika, Japan.

The international travel competition was divided into three categories. Neil Suneson took first place in the color category for "Dance Hall." Second place was a tie between Ryan Suneson for "Temple," Judy Reynolds for "Alebrijos," Fred Benanati for "Seaside Serendipity" and Susan Benanati for "Chapelle St. Kevin."

Third place also was a tie between Ryan Suneson for "Door," Julia Irwin for "Killing Fields," Butch Enterline for "Temple Priest" and Jonathan Stapleton for "Signs." Fourth place was a tie between Helen Duchon for "Beautiful Music" and Marles Bradley for "Massive Buddha."

All three judges chose a different photo for their favorites in this category. They were "Chapelle St. Kevin," by Susan Benanati, "Temple Priest," by Enterline and "Dance Hall," by Neil Suneson.

Enterline took first place honors in the creative category for "Street Walker" which separated a woman walking down the street with her groceries by putting her in color and the entire background in black and white. This also was the overwhelming winner as the Judge's Choice in this category.

Second place was shared by Bradley for "Kyoto Flower Market," Enterline for "Poodle Trees" and Irwin for "Fallen Temple." Third place went to Irwin for "Window Through Time," Duchon for "Bagging It" and Bradley for "Sushi Round Restaurant." Susan Benanati received fourth place for "Sentinel."

The third category in the competition was black and white or monochrome. Duchon took two first places with her photos titled "Multiplication Factor" and "Sapporo Skylite." Second place was a tie between Jonathan Stapleton for "Hiroshima" and Enterline for ""No, Mama" with Irwin taking third place for her photo titled "Latex Fields." Enterline won fourth place for "Pigeons at the Gate." The judge's choices in this category are "Pigeons at the Gate," by Enterline and "Multiplication Factor" by Helen.

The student competition for those 18 and under was titled "Hometown Norman." Students were to take photos of their hometown to be shared with our Sister Cities. Lauren Bauman won first in the people category for "You Can't Catch Me." Bauman also won a first and a second in the miscellaneous category for "Lauren's Rose" and "Lilly" respectively.

Judges for the event were Bryan Evans, Trisha Marlow and Tim Swann. Marlow is an A.A.S., graphic designer and partner with an Oklahoma City advertising agency for 11 years, designer with Ivie Marketing -- Communications for two years, recipient of several Oklahoma City ADDY (Advertising Design) Awards, the graphic design instructor for five years at Moore Norman Technology Center, SkillsUSA advisor, United Way chairperson, and president of Advertising Design Trade Group.

Evans is the owner of BEDG "Bryan Evans Design Group" based in Norman. Evans started BEDG in 1982 as a full service visual design firm and incorporated photography in 1989. His firm has won a Gold Addy from the Oklahoma City Advertising Club, and also several Gold Redbud Awards from Oklahoma's Conference on Tourism. Evans is a graduate of Norman High School and The University of Oklahoma. Swann is the owner of Masterpiece Studio.