Sussex County photography exhibit celebrates 50 years

The fair’s Photography in Sussex County exhibit has a patriotic theme this year: “Historic America 250.” The exhibit also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Vernon Camera Club President Lisa Burghart, one of the exhibit’s volunteers, is looking forward to seeing the entries.

“I think it’s going to be exciting to see all the different visions, if you will, from members of Sussex County,” Burghart said. “We’ve not focused on a historical theme before, so this should be really fun — it could be old barns, it could be old battlefields, it could be monuments — it really could be anything.”

Entries continue to increase each year. At last year’s exhibit, almost 600 photos were entered. The exhibit is divided into age and skill categories, with ribbons awarded to winners in each group. Categories range from children as young as 3 years old to amateur adults and experienced photographers who have won ribbons in past exhibitions.

Burghart said many contestants submit photos annually.

“The kids actually come in themselves and drop off their photos, which is really quite exciting because as they come back [each year], they’re getting older,” she said.

Burghart has enjoyed photography since childhood. “I’ve been taking photos forever. Photography was always something that my various family members enjoyed.”

She recalls using her grandfather’s dark room to develop film and learning digital photography in school. Shortly before COVID-19, Burghart joined the Vernon Camera Club and soon after became president.

At the time, the club had fewer than 20 members, a number that has since grown to nearly 50. Each month, members meet at a new location to focus on a different style, genre or technique of photography.

“We like to say that we’re all about education,” Burghart said. “We want to grow our skills, do better, learn together, and have fun while we do it.”

The exhibit will be on display daily inside the Richards Building at the fair.