A crowd of photographers and art lovers gathered at the Turnage Theatre on Wednesday to recognize and celebrate the winners and participants in the Arts of the Pamlico Annual Photography Competition.

Categories for the photography competition included digital photography, documentary/people, landscapes/places, nature/wildlife, mixed media/alternative process and youth photography.

In addition to winners in these categories, a number of photographers were recognized with special awards sponsored by local businesses and individuals. Each winner was given a prize, courtesy of the respective sponsor.

Stewart’s Jewelry Store’s Best in Show was “At Ease,” by Shanon Shuler-Gaskins.

The Washington Daily News Award for photojournalism was “Dashing Down Fifth,” by J. Scott Clark.

The Patricia Smith Cutler Memorial Award for landscape/flower photography was “Tupelo Trees in the Swamp,” by Paul Harding.

The Lone Leaf Award for excellence in the photographic medium was “Koi Gold Among Ripples,” by Evie Chang Henderson.

The A1 Awards and Promotions Award for Mixed Media was “Perspective,” by Karen Mault.

ASAP Photo’s Best Color Award for digitally enhanced photography was “Goin’ for some Bill’s,” by M.J. Carbo.

ASAP Photo’s Best Color Award for non-enhanced photography was “Hanging Out,” by Anne Grimes.

The event also marked the opening of two art exhibits at AOP, Pamela Randall and LaRue Haddock’s “Arsenic & Old Lace” collection and the larger-than-life works of Sam Ezell. The three exhibits will be on display at AOP through Sept. 2.