Photo, Art & Map Contest
2024 Theme: GENIUS LOCI: The Spirit of Place
Submissions due by 11:59pm on October 21st, 2024.
Is there a place that inspires you? Places and landscapes all over the world have a deep meaning to people, a “spirit;” Geographers call this their _genius loci_. We want to see the places that are spiritual to you!
Submit any type of original visual creative work, including photography, art, graphic design, even maps. Think broadly of “place:” buildings, cities, natural landscapes, historic sites, even events can all have a genius loci.
Winners will be displayed around the Geography Department and highlighted on our website. Oh, and cash prizes!
Winners will be awarded in the following three categories:
Sacred places of the Restored Gospel:
Places that are important to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (e.g., a temple, a pioneer town, the Sacred Grove, chapels)
People & Culture:
Pictures of people or things of cultural significance (e.g., culture specific buildings, objects, places or things and people in any place)
Inspirational places:
Any place or Landscape that inspires you (e.g., a city, a mountain)
Works will be judged for their general aesthetic appeal, how well they demonstrate the breadth and depth of geography, and how well they visually evoke a deeper meaning.
Along with your submission, Include a paragraph telling us about the genius loci, the spirit of this place for you. These interpretive texts will be posted along with the work. Descriptions should focus on personal reflections and inspiration rather than historical facts.
Eligibility & Submission Guidelines
Only current BYU students are eligible to participate. Faculty, staff, or administrators are excluded.
- Participants may submit up to 3 entries (one per category: photo, art, map)
- Participants must include a title for their work
- The use of AI in writing is cautioned against as these descriptions may be displayed and shared.
- Submissions can be scans or medium-resolution images of the original, but winners will provide the original work (for maps or photography, high-resolution images over 3,000 pixels w x h)
Physical Artwork:
All physical artwork submitted becomes property of the Geography department and will not be returned.
Contest Administration:
Entries will be screened post-deadline to confirm eligibility and ensure compliance with guidelines.
- Winners must be present in person to receive their gift cards and sign for them.
Prize Structure:
Prizes remain consistent with previous contests: 1st Place - $150, 2nd Place - $100, 3rd Place - $50. Honorable Mention receives no monetary prize.