The public has the final vote: Out of 404 patriotic entries celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, 48 winners are now on display in downtown Longview—and the race is on for the People’s Choice Award.
Story and photos by Joycelyne Fadojutimi
On a warm Sunday afternoon, the lobby of Texas Bank and Trust transformed from a quiet financial institution into a vibrant, living canvas of American pride. It was June 28, and a crowd of artists, neighbors, and art lovers gathered for a special awards reception. This wasn’t just any annual gallery opening. This year, the air was charged with a deep patriotic spirit, as photographers from 45 different communities set out to capture the very soul of America ahead of its historic 250th anniversary.
The competition was fierce. Ninety-three photographers stepped up to the challenge, training their lenses on everything from quiet morning landscapes to bustling human moments, pouring a staggering 404 images into the contest. Sifting through this sea of visual stories was no easy task, falling on the expert shoulders of Fort Worth-based juror and photographer, Gerald S. Kern, Jr.
With so much raw talent on display, Kern meticulously narrowed the field down to 48 standout images worthy of top honors. As the winners were announced, cash prizes were handed out across four distinct pillars: Fine Art, Human Interest, Landscape/Nature, and the close-knit TBT Family category.
However, the excitement didn’t stop there. Special legacy accolades were bestowed upon the elite, including the Senior Chairman’s Award, the President’s Award, a series of festive Birthday and Christmas Card awards, and the ultimate crown of the afternoon—Best of Show.
For these 48 visionaries, the glory extends far beyond a Sunday reception. Their winning snapshots are officially booked for a journey through time, set to be featured in the highly anticipated Texas Bank and Trust 2027 Collector’s Calendar, preserving this milestone anniversary for years to come.
Now, the celebration opens up to the entire Longview community. The stunning exhibition has officially taken over the Main Bank Lobby at 300 E. Whaley in downtown Longview, where it will remain open to the public during regular banking hours through Thursday, July 9.
But there is still one major prize hanging in the balance, and the bank is handing the power over to the people. Visitors wandering through the gallery over the next two weeks can cast their ballots for the coveted People’s Choice Award. Every vote counts, the local community will decide the final champion, and the grand winner will be proudly revealed the following week.
But wait that is not all. There is more
Contest transition:
The end of an era: The 2027 contest will mark the 45th and final time Texas Bank and Trust hosts this annual photography event.
Passing the torch: Starting in 2028, the contest will be under the care and direction of Arts Longview Cultural District, an organization designated as a cultural district in 2019.
Farewell Juror: O. Rufus Lovett, who helped develop the contest in the late 1970s, will return to serve as the 45th anniversary final juror in 2027.
The event concluded with appreciation for the marketing team and the participants, emphasizing photography’s role in enriching lives, preserving stories, and uniting people.
