Illuminate Your Winter: Aberdeen’s Exciting New Photography Challenge!

A new photography contest in North-east Scotland intends to illuminate distinct viewpoints of Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Arts Centre has collaborated with the photography division of North East Scotland College (NESCol) for the contest, centered around the theme of ‘Light in the Dark’ – motivating amateur photographers to discover instances of happiness and illumination in the Granite City during the drearier winter season.

Submissions will be accepted in two divisions – 18+ and Young People (17 & Under). The top three submissions in each division will be showcased at Aberdeen Arts Centre, while the first place winner will also receive family tickets for Aberdeen Arts Centre’s 2025 pantomime, Robin Hood.

To participate, photographers should send their submissions to info@aberdeenartscentre.com by 11.59pm on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Comprehensive terms and conditions can be located on Aberdeen Arts Centre’s website at www.aberdeenartscentre.com/lightinthedark.

Steve Smith, a photography instructor at NESCol, will evaluate the competition. He stated: “The theme of ‘Light in the Dark’ serves as a reminder that even amidst the bleakest moments of the year, beauty can be discovered if we seek it.

“Photography acts as a powerful instrument for preserving these fleeting moments of light, joy, and connection, and this competition presents an opportunity for everyone – whether capturing images with a camera or a smartphone – to unleash their creativity.

“Art and photography are for everyone, and I’m thrilled that we are partnering with Aberdeen Arts Centre to observe how individuals of all ages and backgrounds interpret this theme, illuminating Aberdeen’s distinctive character.”

The competition is part of Aberdeen Arts Centre’s broader Creative Learning initiative, offering participatory opportunities for the local community across various artistic fields.

Aberdeen Arts Centre’s creative director, Amy Liptrott, remarked: “The darkness of winter often tests our spirits, yet it is within this very darkness that light, beauty, and joy can appear most vividly. Our ‘Light in the Dark’ photography competition encourages individuals of all ages and backgrounds to unveil and capture these enlightening moments in Aberdeen.

“At Aberdeen Arts Centre, we are firmly dedicated to making art accessible for everyone through our Creative Learning and Artist Development initiatives.

“We are delighted to collaborate with NESCol for this competition to foster a sense of community and creativity, reminding us all that even in the darkest periods, light can be discovered and celebrated.”

Operating as an independent arts venue and a registered charity in the center of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Arts Centre has been a key player in the north east’s lively arts landscape for over 60 years, offering a range of performances, a Creative Learning Programme for both children and adults, and an Artist Development Programme to nurture local professional creatives.

The venue features a 350-seat auditorium, a café bar, adaptable spaces for performances, events, exhibitions, and meetings, as well as the Children’s Theatre, which opened in the 1950s as a pioneering youth theatre and currently serves as an essential resource for professional artist development.

For further details, visit www.aberdeenartscentre.com or follow Aberdeen Arts Centre on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @AberdeenArtsCentre.