Grubb takes top honor in Oak Ridge photo contest

A closeup picture of a pink dogwood blossom across the street from his home in Oak Ridge earned first place and a cash award in a photo contest for Graphic Designer Gary Grubb.

The first-place entry in the events and lifestyle category of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce photo contest was Grubb’s fourth winning photo. Chamber officials say more than 215 photos were entered in three categories.

“I had previously won an honorable mention and a place on the tour for a photograph of the L&N Station building in Knoxville for the Ten Scores of Architecture Traveling Exhibit,” said Grubb.

“I also earned first place in the plant category for a photograph in the Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival photo contest of a sunflower in Sevierville and first place for a photograph of an old bank building in Johnson City for a downtown revitalization photo contest.

“I have really enjoyed photography since taking photography classes for my fine arts degree at East Tennessee State University in 1988.”

Grubb has been a designer at Pellissippi State for 13 years. He says his favorite subject is flowers because “they have incredible detail.

“I also have an eye for photographing flowers, but springtime is really pretty on both sides of my street, and that makes my job easier.”

What does he plan to do with the pictures he’s been making for years?

“I’d like to continue building a portfolio for a possible show of my work.”

For now, though, Grubb is content to see the Oak Ridge Chamber use his winning image and the other 13 photographs he entered in its marketing and promotion activities. The purpose of the Chamber contest was to build up stock photography used to promote the community.

Grubb received his first-place honor and $150 prize money at a reception at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge April 25. First through third place were awarded from the categories of people, places and events/lifestyle.