General Information:

Seeking entries for the ARS-Next Gen photo contest. The purpose of the contest is to:

1. Provide students an opportunity to participate in an ARS activity, with monetary prizes to encourage students to learn about rhododendrons.
2. Raise awareness to the next generation about the fundamental importance of conserving Rhododendron species and their native habitats.
3. Create a photo image archive to provide content for ARS social media pages and ARS websites.

Submission Criteria and Photo Themes:

The contest is open to people of all ages.  ARS membership is not required.  Any photo format will be accepted. Photograph need not be taken in the current year.  Contestants may submit up to five photos in any of three themes:

- Loving the Rhododendron: the power of Rhododendrons to delight folks of all ages.

- Rhododendron in the Garden: your take on how a rhododendron beautifies a garden.

- The Funkiest Flower: unique features of Rhododendron flowers.

Award Categories:

Best Student Photo - Three monetary awards for best photo submitted by a student registered at a high school, college or university.  1^st place $250, 2^nd $150 and 3^rd place $100.  Amounts are in U.S. dollars.  Cash prizes open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

Theme Top 20  - 6-7 photos from each theme, for a total of 20 photos. Photos from our 2021 and 2022 competition will be combined into information graphic posters which teach aspects of Rhododendron such as their biology, ecology and horticulture.  Specific content will be determined based on the photos received.  The poster will be available for download at the ARS-Next Gen webpage. Photographer credits will be shown. Top 20 winners will receive a complementary 18" x 24" printed copy of the poster.

Archive Superstar - Awarded to three photographers who make the most substantial contribution to the photo archive based on number, variety and quality of the photos.  Archive Superstars will each be featured in a presentation at the ARS Fall Conference, convention, on our Flickr page, and in a dedicated social media post celebrating their contributions.

Archive Contributor - All photos of a Rhododendron that meet basic quality standards will be included in the archive. Archive Contributors will be featured on the Flickr page, and names will be recognized in a thank you post on social media, unless they choose to remain anonymous.

Award-winning photos will be displayed with photo credit on the ARS Next-Gen Flicker page and on the ARS Facebook page

How to Submit Photos:

Upload your photos and descriptive captions at: ARS Next Gen Photo Contest.

A Google Drive account login is required to submit photos. Instructions about how to sign up for a Google drive account can be found here.

Photos must be received by August 15, 2022, 12:00 p.m. EST to be eligible for awards.

Photographer Eligibility:

Anyone can participate by submitting a photo, but awards categories have specific eligibility criteria.  To be eligible for the Theme Top 20, Archive Superstar or Archive Contributor awards, you must provide written permission for the photo to be used as needed on ARS-associated social media platforms and websites, with the stipulation that proper photographer credit will always be included with the photo.

Contact Christina Woodward at canadacaw@yahoo.ca or Dr. Juliana Medeiros at jmedeiros@holdenarb.org for any questions.