Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center announced the winners of the 2024 Annual Gurwin Photo Contest, revealing the photos at a wine and cheese reception in Gurwin's Simon Rainbow Room at the 460-bed skilled nursing facility in Commack on Dec. 9.
Nearly 1,000 submissions are received each year from across the globe by amateur photographers and students, and are judged by a panel of professional photographers for clarity, composition, subject matter and suitability for display at the Center.
This year's judges, Iris Zaverdas De Vita of Golden Iris, Tony Lopez of Tony Lopez Photography, and Josh Schmidt of The Tiffen Company, chose 34 winning photos.
Grand Prize, Honorable Mentions, as well as a Best-in-Show winners were awarded in 12 categories: Action/ Sports, Altered/Enhanced, Children, Landscapes, Long Island/ New York, Nature, People, Pets, Still Life, Student, Travel, and Wildlife. Gurwin residents and staff also weighed-in on their favorites for "Resident/ Staff Selection" winners.
Best-in-Show went to Regina Matarazzo (Tobyhanna, PA) for her photo "Seagull Under the Pier" and Best-In-Show Runner-Up to Alan Sloyer (Roslyn) for "Millie's Diner."
"We are thrilled to celebrate not only the incredible talent of our photo contest winners but also the joyous return of our in-person reception at the Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, marking the first time since the pandemic," said Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System.
"Each year we are so very impressed by the incredible artistry of the participants, many of them perennial supporters of our unique contest. We are pleased to showcase their work, and a grateful for the beauty and inspiration the photos bring to our residents."
Winning photos are permanently displayed in the Center's renowned Tiffen Gallery, named in memory of Helen and Nat Tiffen of The Tiffen Company, long-time sponsors of the contest. More than 1,000 photos are showcased throughout the Center for the enjoyment of the community's 460 long- and short-term residents, staff and visitors.
Photos not selected for a prize award are repurposed as reminiscence aids, for visual stimulation and art therapy, providing a source of comfort and inspiration, for residents throughout the Center, including Gurwin's Memory Care Unit and Adult Day Care Programs.
"It's hard for me to fathom that we've been hosting this contest for 31 years...at first, it was a way to decorate our newly opened nursing home; today, it's so much more than that," said Dennine Cook, Chief Corporate Communications Officer for Gurwin Healthcare System.
"All the selections, whether they be honorable mentions, grand prizes or resident/staff selections, will be judged, discussed and enjoyed by so many appreciative eyes for years to come. That is the real honor - that your photos will hang for decades in our residents' home," Cook added.