Portraiture at its Best

Washington DC,

A new exhibition showcases winners from the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. The museum holds the competition every three years; this year more than 3,300 entries were submitted in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, video, and photography. Dave Woody of Fort Collins, CO, was awarded the grand prize of $25,000 plus the opportunity to create a portrait for the museum's permanent collection. “I am never really attracted to photographing subjects who are totally self-aware or self-confident, as I’m more interested in those people who move through this world with a quiet grace,” he says of his winning photograph titled LAURA. Stanley Rayfield won second place for his painting titled DAD, and third prize went to Adam Vinson. Commended participants include Margaret Bowland, Yolanda del Amo, Gaela Erwin, and Emil Robinson. This exhibition features 49 portraits and is on display through August 22. A color catalog is available.