I am deeply honored to have received the 1st Place People's Choice Award at the Our Duluth Art Show last week for my image "Reflections of the Past."

At first glance, it may appear just an ordinary bridge, its mirrored image rippling in the water.  But it represents more .....Read on for the story behind this image.

The Duluth Fine Arts League announced Our Duluth: A Visual Journey exhibit earlier this year, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.  Each artist was asked to showcase their love for Duluth, a place I have proudly called home since 1990.

As a photographer who has spent the last 35 years photographing people, places, and things around Duluth, the question became: where do I even begin?

Duluth offers a bounty of inspiration with its idyllic Town Green, historic railroad depot, vibrant people, and serene parks. But one place kept calling me back—Rogers Bridge, which sits gently at the edge of the picturesque Chattahoochee River and joins two cities.

The original Rogers Bridge, a Pennsylvania Pin-Connected Petit Thru Truss designed for horse-drawn carriages, was built in the early 1900s. It stood the test of time, eventually allowing motor vehicles to pass one lane at a time before being retired in the 1970s. It stood as an unused replica of the past and a fond memory of those who lived during its era.

It wasn't until around the early 2000s—years after I moved to Georgia—that I discovered it. I found a peaceful perch at low tide and began photographing the bridge in all its weathered glory. Over the years, it became my personal sanctuary. I shot family portraits, high school seniors, and quiet landscapes there. It was a place of solitude and peace. I photographed sunrises and moonsets in the same spot.

Fast-forward to 2014, when a visionary partnership between the cities of Duluth and Johns Creek, along with Gwinnett and Fulton Counties, led to a plan to rebuild the bridge and create a vibrant park space on both sides of the river.

When the bridge officially reopened in 2023, it emerged not just as a structure—but as a testament to community and renewal. Seeking to honor the historical significance of the original bridge, an enhanced replica bridge was constructed, and original materials were repurposed for public art. I served on the committee as a Duluth Public Arts Commission member to decide which art piece would be selected for the repurposed art. That gave more meaning to my sentiments toward the old bridge.

The area now boasts a stunning pedestrian bridge, over three miles of scenic trails, pickleball and soccer fields, playgrounds, and picnic spaces. It has become my go-to place for biking, hiking, and birding.

I finally decided on a fitting image for the Our Duluth exhibit. The vision for "Reflections of the Past" struck me like a ton of bricks. I toyed with many versions and titles, but this one seemed to be the best fit.

I found an old photo of the original bridge in the early 2000s. I digitized it, gave it a sepia-toned finish to echo its vintage soul, and returned to that same perch I'd stood on all those years ago. I captured the new bridge from that same angle—its bold lines and bright promise rising where the old once stood.  (This time, I need someone to help me down the perch - haha )

With care and patience, I blended the two images in Photoshop using a linear gradient tool, allowing the past to dissolve gently into the present. It's not perfect—but that's the point. Life, like art, is an ever-evolving blend of memories and moments yet to be made.

"Reflections of the Past" is more than a photograph. It shows my love of Duluth, its transformation from the old to the new, and the places that quietly shape us while we're busy growing.

Thank you to everyone who voted and found meaning in this image. It has been an incredible honor to share my vision with you. And to the bridge that inspired it all—thank you for standing, once again, in quiet strength.