The After School Arts Program is celebrating its fifth year of honoring talented young photographers with a gallery show of their work at the Litchfield Historical Society.

Litchfield County has always had a rich cultural community—it is a haven for artists and creatives in a wide range of disciplines. The After School Arts Program is a non-profit organization dedicated in continuing this tradition by offering opportunities to young people interested in the arts. Next month, it will host its 5th Annual Celebration of Young Photographers.

ASAP’s goal is to bring together students from a diverse group of communities, encouraging them to express their artistic vision through photography while providing a chance for exploration and creativity. Students from grades 3-12, including home schooled children, were invited to submit a photograph reflecting on their interpretation of this year’s theme, My Best Photo. These participants from across Connecticut were asked: “What is it about your photo that tells something special about you, your family, or community? Perhaps it is someone you see every day who makes a difference in your world, or a place that is unique to you. Think about the locations, people, and ideas that you are connected to on a personal level.” The categories for the submissions were Portrait, Landscape, Abstract, or Black and White.

“Photography has changed so much in the last few years. With such major developments in technology, sophisticated cameras are not necessarily used anymore. Everyone is taking pictures with their iPhones,” says Visko Hatfield, a board member and organizer of ASAP’s Photography Program (also an established photographer himself). “But it still comes down to the idea and quality of the image.”

A panel of judges have selected the best photographs to be exhibited in a professional gallery setting where participants will be recognized for their outstanding work. The jury is composed of a renowned group of professionals, photographers and artists. The selection process is blind; names of students and schools were removed from each photograph. A cash prize of $200 will be awarded to the overall winner from each grade group, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

In past years, the celebrations have been held at Arethusa Farm. This year, the exhibition and reception will be held at The Litchfield Historical Society. The reception is open to all. Wine & cheese will be served for adults and there will be holiday treats available for kids. Photographs and ASAP merchandise will be for sale. Proceeds benefit ASAP’s programs for children.