Local photographers make the grade in a Convention Center juried exhibit

Works by Vashon photographers Michelle Bates, Debra Paulsen, Ray Pfortner and Andie Styner are included in “Only in Washington,” a new statewide juried show of photography hanging at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center through March 31, 2009.

The exhibit, located on the center’s second level in the public galleries surrounding the escalators and break-out rooms, opened Oct. 16. It is free and open to the public daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Vashon photographers are among 107 photographers who responded to a statewide call for submissions last summer for an exhibit to showcase the beauty and diversity of the entire state.

Jurors sifted through approximately 400 images to select the final show, which includes 104 photographs and 67 photographers.

The exhibition includes images from 31 of Washington’s 39 counties, with five of those images taken on Vashon.

Styner’s photograph was taken at her Island home, and Pfortner’s four images include views of Mount Rainier, Tramp Harbor and the John Deere Pond on Bank Road at Christmas.

Bates’ image was taken in Fremont, and Paulsen’s shot is of the Yakima River Canyon.

Each image in the show is accompanied by a statement by the photographer that explains why the image and the place depicted are of particular importance to the photographer.

An estimated 500,000 people will view the exhibit in the six months it will hang in the center.

The Washington State Convention & Trade Center is located in downtown Seattle with the main entrance on the corner of 7th and Pike Streets. It is accessible by public transportation and has on-site parking facilities.

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