August 16, 1994

Contact: Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189

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White House News Photographers Association Exhibit Opens at the Library of Congress

The 51st annual White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA) exhibition opens in the Madison Gallery of the Library of Congress James Madison Memorial Building on Wednesday, September 14. Hours for the Madison Gallery are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition closes November 26.

The exhibition features prize-winning video coverage and photographs taken by members of the association over the past year. The images range from peace-signing ceremonies in the White House rose garden to the plight of Bosnian refugees.

The WHNPA was formed over 75 years ago by 15 photographers who covered the White House during the administration of President Warren G. Harding, a former newspaper publisher and editor himself. Today, the association has more than 500 members. While membership is limited to photographers who cover the White House and Washington, their subject matter is not confined to those areas. Most of the photographers work for major publications, wire services, and networks.

Each year the association selects the best of its members' works for awards and exhibition. The first such contest was held in 1943 during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served as one of the judges. This year, 64 prizes were awarded in 14 still-photography categories and 47 prizes were awarded in 13 tape/film categories. Judges for the still division were John Davidson, director of photography, Dallas Morning News; Melissa Farlow, National Geographic Society; and Stanley Farrar, assistant managing editor/graphics, Seattle Times. Judges for the tape/film division were Judith Aleksalza, engineering editor, WJZ-TV, Baltimore; Raymond Bribiesca, photojournalist, CBS News; and Skip Erickson, director of engineering and operations, WCCO-TV, Minneapolis.

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PR 94-135
8/16/94
ISSN 0731-3527