Organizers were pleased with the Marlboro County Museum’s 2021 Photography Contest entries.

“We got so many amazing entries again this year,” said Lynn McQueen, Museum and Cultural Affairs Director, “We have some truly gifted photographers here in Marlboro County.”

There were more than 50 entries in the contest.

This year’s contest categories were Historic Places, Marlboro County Life, Nature, and Spotlight: Gulf Sign. “We got a good mix,” she said. “Nature is the most popular category.”

Spotlight was a new category, which highlighted a specific subject matter.

The subject for 2021 was the Gulf Oil sign located at the corner of Liberty and Market Streets behind the Courthouse in Bennettsville. The sign was erected during Bennettsville’s Bicentennial celebration in 2019 to commemorate the area known as “the Gulf,” the historic African-American business district.

“I think it was successful,” she said. “We are going to continue the category next year with a different subject.”

The winning photos are on display in the museum for the next two months and were unveiled at Morning at the Museum on Dec. 16. The photos are also on the museum’s Facebook page.

McQueen gave a special thank you to the contest sponsor, Sully Blair/State Farm Insurance. “And thanks to all the photographers who entered this year,” she said.

The contest winners were:

#1 Marlboro County Life and Overall Winner-Judy Sharon #2 Marlboro County Life-Cal McInville

#3 Marlboro County Life-Susan Sligh

Honorable Mention: Marlboro County Life-Jerry Andrews

#1 Historic Places-Cal McInville

#2 Historic Places-Jerry Andrews

#3 Historic Places-Carolyn Andrews

Honorable Mention: Historic Places-Jacqueline Weber

Honorable Mention: Historic Places-Jackie Branch

#1 Nature-Jackie Branch

#2 Nature-Sheena Bryant

#3 Nature-Deana Chavis Baker

Honorable Mention: Nature-Susan Sligh

Honorable Mention: Nature-Judy Sharon

Honorable Mention: Nature-Jerry Andrews

#1 Spotlight: Gulf Sign-Jerry Andrews

#2 Spotlight: Gulf Sign-Craig Auman

#3 Spotlight: Gulf Sign (Tie) Ayonna Grooms #3 Spotlight: Gulf Sign (Tie) Judy Sharon

Honorable Mention: Spotlight: Gulf Sign-Jim Tucker

Honorable Mention: Spotlight: Gulf Sign-Jacqueline Hough

Honorable Mention: Spotlight: Gulf Sign-Cal McInville

Viewers’ Choice award winner was Ayonna Grooms.