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Russell, Ontario – The 2025 Photo Expo took place on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Featuring over 120 of the 220 submitted photos, this event showcased the talent of 75 local photographers. Under the theme “Up Close and Personal,” participants captured unique and special moments within Russell Township.
The jury for this year’s competition included Lexine Ménard-Mallity, from Lexine Photographie; Christine Fitzgerald, a photo-based artist; and Rita Godlevskis, Editor of PhotoEd Managazine.
The winning selections were determined after lengthy discussions on the theme, how the images will be experienced once installed, and the way in which the images reignite viewers' imagination, wonder and joy.
The 2025 winning photographs:
- Portrait: Joy – By Allie Liko
- Landscape: Reflections of Home – By Ashique Azmal Rushdi
- Best Overall: Growing More Than Food – By Hannah Mitchell
- Best Youth: Defying Winter’s Grip – By Elizabeth Bahl-Séguin (youth)
The jury also selected 5 photos for honourable mentions:
- Awakening – By Job Koller Kwikiriza
- Busy Bees / Les travaillantes – By Julie Brisson
- Hunting at the Weir – By Tim Bolton-Gowling
- Mitosis – By Emma Pineo (youth)
- Morning Sparkle – By Paisley Souligny (youth)
Missed out on the photo expo? Want to view all photo submissions? They are now available on the online gallery at www.russell.ca/PhotoClub.
The four winners will each receive a $400 CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation / Le Front des artistes canadiens) fees in recognition of their artistic contributions. Their photos will be added to the outdoor photo expo along the recreational trail located at the start of the trail at 901 Notre-Dame Street in Embrun. All 9 winners and honourable mentions will receive a subscription to PhotoEd Magazine to continue nurturing their artistic talents.
To promote public participation at the expo, Russell Township introduced the "Crowd Favourite" prize. Visitors were invited to vote for their favourite photograph, and the winning piece, Hunting at the Weir by Tim Bolton-Gowling, earned him a $50 gift card to Euphie d’ici which is located in Embrun right next to the outdoor photo expo along the recreation trail.
Thanks to a subsidy from the Ontario Arts Council, and a partnership between the Russell Agricultural Society and Russell Township, this year’s expo saw continued success in participation. We are thrilled to witness the growing presence of the arts in our Township and eagerly anticipate the 2026 edition. Keep capturing those hidden gems with your cameras throughout the year and stay tuned for the theme to be revealed in early 2026!