Skip to Navigation
Skip to Content
Dreams and Imagined Realities
Juror's Statement
Can you remember the last dream you had? The memory often fades into a glimpse or a feeling. Recreating that idea as a photograph takes imagination and skill. Dream-like imagery can emerge through techniques such as the intentional use of color, the loss of detail, lighting, or focus, or through subject matter, as with the unexpected: a hospital bed in the middle of a forest, a figure grasping at clocks as they slip through their hands. These surreal or symbolic elements invite us to step outside logic and into a more intuitive, emotional realm.
It was a pleasure to explore all the images submitted for this exhibition, and I am honored to have the responsibility of serving as juror. The theme of Dreams and Imagined Realities invites a wide range of interpretations, and I was impressed by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and conceptual depth present in the submissions.
The Juror's Award went to Chris Losee for their image Moonwashed. The balance of visual quality and concept in this artwork impressed me. This piece combines a beautiful scene with the suggestion of danger from the encroaching water. The technical approach enhances the dream-like quality, lulling the viewer into a false security as the water rises.
The Director’s Award, selected by gallery director Zach Hoffman, is awarded to Robert Biondo for his photograph Ascending Bethesda. This image beautifully balances the real and the surreal, capturing a moment that feels both grounded in physical space and suspended in a dream. The architectural elements and strong composition anchor the viewer in reality, while the figure’s upward movement toward the light evokes a sense of transcendence.
Selecting a small number of works from such a strong and varied group is never an easy task. I found myself drawn to photographs that used the medium in distinctive ways to provoke the imagination. I chose images that evoked mystery, the uncanny, or that challenged perception. Whether subtle or bold, abstract or narrative, these works captured the elusive nature of dreams and imagination while reflecting something deeply personal. Thank you to all the artists who shared their visions. Your work made this experience inspiring and unforgettable.
-Emma Powell
About the Juror
Emma Powell is a photographic artist who primarily utilizes alternative and historic processes. At the heart of Powell’s work are fictional narratives in which a single character encounters curious and surreal scenarios. To create the fantasy aspects of her images, Powell uses digital collages and creative manipulations of photographic materials. Powell earned an MFA in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology, and taught photography for a decade at Colorado College and Iowa State University. In addition, Powell has led workshops for Penland School of Crafts, Maine Media Workshops, and other educational institutions. Powell’s artwork has been exhibited widely including at the Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock Abbey, England, The Halide Project, Philadelphia, Path Museum, Atlanta, GA, and Bell Projects, Denver, CO.
Call for Entries
Dreams offer a limitless canvas for photographers to explore inner landscapes, surreal visions, and the creative process itself. Whether emerging from the subconscious, inspired by fantasy, or rooted in personal reflection, these images possess a unique ability to transport viewers beyond reality and into the unknown.
For this exhibition, we seek photographs that embody the spirit of dreaming—images that are deeply personal, ethereal, mysterious, or even unsettling. We invite work that captures the blurred line between reality and fiction, bringing forth the magic, wonder, and complexity of the mind’s eye. All photographic processes and interpretations are welcome, from surreal digital composites to dreamlike film captures and abstract experimental works.
We are honored to have Emma Powell as juror for Dreams and Imagined Realities. She will select up to 35 images in our Middlebury, Vermont Exhibition gallery and another 40 images for our Online Gallery. All 75 images will be reproduced in the exhibition catalog and remain permanently on our website, and be promoted on social media with links to photographers' URL.
Click to enlarge
Banner Image: Robert Biondo