
CAMDEN, N.J. — Officials from the City of Camden, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, and Rutgers—Camden Center for the Arts have announced the grand prize winner for the “A New View” social media photo contest.
De’Von Holland (@dutchess856) of Camden won $250 for his image of a neighborhood game of chess.
“I look now with promising eyes at the future for Camden; even though a lot of people see nothing, I see greatness,” Holland said in a press release. “My picture captures two men who are showing love and enjoying the challenge of a nice chess game on a hot summer day at Whitman Park’s Water Tower park. Just that simple. I found love there in that shot.”
The social media contest encourages Camden residents and visitors to take photos of “something beautiful” and share it to social media, with all submissions being used to inform and inspire Camden’s upcoming public art project. A $50 winner was announced each week until August 30, when the grand prize winner was announced.
Over 400 photos were submitted to highlight Camden’s parks, families, historic architecture, and nature along with the iconic features of City Hall, RCA Victor, Ben Franklin Bridge, and Philadelphia skyline.
“I congratulate the winner of Camden’s social media photo contest,” said Camden Mayor Frank Moran in a press release. “As a lifelong resident, I know firsthand the beauty and limitless potential Camden has to offer. The images submitted did an amazing job of capturing the City’s vibrancy, individuality, and evolving landscape. These inspirational snapshots provide a glimpse of the transformational power of art. Camden’s “A New View” public art project will not only help bring local art to the forefront but it will also shine a bright light on the negative impacts of illegal dumping.”
Earlier this year, Camden was given $1 million from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Challenge to start “A New View,” which will transform spots throughout the city associated with illegal dumping into art spaces to attract visitors and inspire residents.
The six sites for temporary public art are located along major transportation corridors in the Camden neighborhoods of North Camden, Gateway, Whitman Park, and East Camden, along the PATCO Speedline, NJ Transit’s River Line, and Camden GreenWay.
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