Sarasota-area photographers have a new incentive to grab their cameras and head to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: a $5,000 cash prize for the best orchid image, the first dedicated cash award in the exhibition's 46-year history.
The Richard and Ellen Sandor Photography Prize debuts as part of Selby Gardens' 46th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition, which will run online from Aug. 27 through Sept. 30. The open call for submissions begins Aug. 3 and closes Aug. 10.
The orchid prize is awarded separately from the exhibition's five entry categories, honoring the photograph that best captures the beauty of an orchid species based on artistic merit, creativity and visual impact, according to Selby Gardens' official announcement July 14.
Jennifer O. Rominiecki, president and CEO of Selby Gardens, said in the July 14 press release that the exhibition is "one of the most exciting opportunities to see Selby Gardens through the eyes of our community."
Sandors bring decades of art philanthropy to the prize
Richard and Ellen Sandor are photography collectors and philanthropists whose private collection includes more than 2,500 works dating to the 1840s. Ellen Sandor is a new media artist whose pieces are held by the Smithsonian Institution and the Art Institute of Chicago. She also serves on the board of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The couple already sponsors the Richard and Ellen Sandor Annual Lecture on Art and Nature at Selby Gardens, making the new prize an extension of their longstanding support for the institution.
Submissions open Aug. 3 through an online portal
The exhibition is entirely virtual. Photographers submit digital images through an online portal at selby.org during the Aug. 3-10 window. All accepted photos will be displayed in an online gallery through Sept. 30, with winners announced Aug. 27.
Photos must have been taken within the past year at one of Selby Gardens' two campuses: the Downtown Sarasota location at 1534 Mound St. or the Historic Spanish Point campus at 401 N. Tamiami Trail in Osprey.
Five entry categories are open for 2026: Living Art, Make a Splash, Plant Portraits, The Birds and the Bees, and Black and White.
Entry fees for Selby Gardens members are $30 for the first image and $10 for each additional image, up to three total. Nonmembers pay $45 for the first image and $15 for each additional, also capped at three entries.
Last year's contest drew nearly 300 entries
Last year's 45th exhibition drew nearly 300 photographs. Best in Show went to Debbie Durham for her image "Peter Pan Into the Light." The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Observer Media Group.
Complete contest rules and the entry portal are available at selby.org. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
Upcoming community dates
- Aug. 3-10: Open call for photo submissions at selby.org
- Aug. 27: Award winners announced; virtual exhibition opens
- Sept. 30: Virtual exhibition closes
