A Washington man took top prize at the Beaufort County Arts Council’s photography show with “Tension, South,” a study of the joy of youth amid surrounding decay.

The photo by Cameron Boltes, named the Stewart’s Jewelry Store Best in Show, was unveiled at the fifth-annual exhibit’s opening reception Thursday at the Washington Civic Center.

From 140 entries, juror Daniel Kariko chose 56 works by 43 different photographers throughout the region.

More than $1,000 in cash prizes was awarded to photographers in five categories, said Joey Toler, BCAC executive director. The exhibit runs until Aug. 30 and is open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Each year, several photos are recognized for outstanding quality in sponsored categories. The Washington Daily News Award went to Chuck Beckley for his piece titled “Homecoming.” The Frank Sommerkamp History Award went to Boltes for “Window #14.” The award for best color–digitally enhanced photo (sponsored by ASAP Photo & Camera) went to Jamie Konarski for “Mystic Tree.” Rebekah Dunlow’s “A Sign of Summer” won the award for best color–nonenhanced photo (sponsored by ASAP Photo & Camera). The Ernest I. and Ethel Harding Cutler Award for outstanding work in the youth category was given to Catherine Morgan for “My Window of Perspective,” and the Jesse Lee and Corinne Mayo Smith Award for outstanding work in the youth category went to Dunlow’s “Enchanted.”

Winners for each category are listed below.

• Mixed media/alternative process — First place, Meredith Loughlin, “Salt;” second place, Paul Nissenbaum, “Revery;” third place, Frederick Hawkins, “CSS Albermarle;” honorable mentions went to Richard L. Caudle, “The Attic;” Meredith Loughlin, “Field;” Meredith Loughlin, “Fleeting;” Meredith Loughlin, “Holly;” Paul Nissembaum, “On the Verge of Self-Discovery;” and Paula Valinoti, “Flat Iron NYC.”
• Landscape/places — First place, Neil Loughlin, “Sanctuary;” second place, Lisa Baker, “Winter Creek;” third place, Maryjane (MJ) Carbo, “Beach Scene;” honorable mentions went to Lisa Baker “Swan Quarter Pier;” Rick Bland, “The Sunset at Sunset;” Jamie Konarski Davidson, “Welcome to Oak City;” Neil Loughlin, “Undercurrent;” Ramos Manning, “Sticks Road;” Greg Mansfield, “Mabry Mill;” Mary Jean(MJ) Peters, “Dockside;” Michael Steiner, “Rusty Boat;” and Sue Williams, “Colonial Garden.”
• Nature/wildlife — First place, Sarah Thrasher, “Fire Bloom;” second place, Barry Wolfe, “Egret – Washington, NC;” third place, Guy Livesay, “Birds In A Boot;” honorable mentions went to Jamie Konarski Davidson, “Elephant Ear;” Monica Ferrari, “Bursting Forth;” Frederick Hawkins, “Essence of Iris;” Frederick Hawkins, “Jewels of Nature;” Frederick Hawkins, “The Vigil;” William H. Pitt, “Strollin’;” Rebecca Sipprell, “Persimmon In Winter;” Rebecca Sipprell, “Northern Ganet;” and Barry Wolfe, “Mallard — Washington, NC.”
• Documentary/people — First place, Evie Chang Henderson, “Romeo & Juliet;” second place, Karen Mault, “All Hands On Deck;” third place, Barry Wolfe, “Playa Giron — Cuba;” honorable mentions went to Megan Boltes, “Risk;” Megan Boltes, “Work;” Bobby Davis, “Audry;” Pat Engstrom, “The Weigh In;” Guy Livesay, “Ethan At the Egg Toss;” Stacey Mayer, “Lost In Thought;” Stacey Mayer, “Untitled;” Mary Jean (MJ) Peters, “Blues and Gold;” and Sam Price, “Netfishing.”
• Youth (under age 18) — First place, Rebekah Dunlow, “Dazzling Wishes;” second place, Dawson Carter, “Red Fox at Bombay Hook — NWR;” third place, Catherine Morgan, “My Window of Perspective;” honorable mentions went to Rebekah Dunlow, “A Sign of Summer Rebekah Dunlow, “Night Serenity;” Catherine Morgan, “Charred Remains;” Catherine Morgan, “Ignition.”