“Waves of Grain” (The Palouse, south eastern Washington State)
	Ravese wins 1^st place in national art show On June 9^th Waterford resident and professional nature photographer Mary Louise Ravese took first place honors at the “American Landscapes” national juried competition at the Washington Gallery of Photography in Bethesda, MD. Her winning image “Waves of Grain” was photographed in the Palouse region of south eastern Washington State, almost at the border with Idaho. It depicts a mesmerizing scene of layer upon layer of rolling hills planted with crops of wheat, peas, lentils and mustard. “The patterns made by the play of late afternoon light on the fields and the contrast between the crops and the harvested and fallow fields is what really caught my eye and captured my imagination”, explains Ravese. The winning color photograph was selected from among a collection of paintings, watercolors, photographs and sculptures representing 200 entries by 30 artists from 15 states. “Ms. Ravese’s piece won because it embodies so much of a true American landscape: variety, depth and richness of colors, a great perspective, and a feeling of warmth and safety in the view - everything is evolving and changing in the landscape, but the way it should, on it's own terms.” says Missy Loewe, competition judge and Dean of the Washington School of Photography. The “American Landscapes” show, sponsored by the Capitol Arts Network, features 40 works in all and is on display at the Washington Gallery of Photography through July 5^th, 2006.