In the midst of seasonal hustle, bustle and weather, please put “entering The 2014 Maine Photography Show (MPS)” on your calendar. The deadline is midnight on Friday, Jan. 24, but it will creep up if you don't take note. Instructions for submissions are available now at www.mainephotographyshow.com.

2014 marks the ninth annual Maine Photography Show, conceived of and created by Boothbay Harbor artist Jim Taliana. Jim was fond of saying that photography by Maine photographers was "underexposed!" As a remedy, he championed the idea of a statewide, juried show and convinced the Boothbay Region Art Foundation's Board of Trustees to be presenter of the effort.

A committee was formed. Anne Havinga, Curator of Photographs at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. was recruited to judge the first show. Sponsors were signed up, press releases went out, a database to collect images and information was created and Lynn Koenig designed a logo. Nine years later, some committee members and sponsors are still returning.

Sadly, Jim passed away in 2012, but the committee and the event he conceived are still "exposing" Maine's great photographers to an ever-widening audience. The Best of Show award, now annually sponsored by The First Bank, has been re-named the James A. Taliana Best of Show Award in his memory.

Every year the MPS has been honored when high-profile, nationally-respected photography professionals accept the invitation to judge. In addition to Anne Havinga, Susan Danley, Joyce Tenneson, John Paul Caponigro, Elizabeth Greenberg, Andre Gallant, Jay Stock and Tony Sweet have served as jurors. The juror for MPS 2014 is the internationally acclaimed Canadian nature photographer, gardener and writer Freeman Patterson.

In 2013, 841 photographs were submitted for consideration - among the highest number of any Maine show. Prize money has been increased for the 2014 show and more awards have been added. Categories remain the same: Color, Black and White, Student and Special Theme - this season‘s special theme being Flowers. The Student category is judged separately. All category winners receive cash prizes sponsored by photography supporting businesses and friends.

The MPS 2014 exhibition will take place at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation gallery Saturday, April 12, through Friday, May 2, 2014.

For more information, contact Bruce Burnham at 207-380-1863, or Boothbay Region Art Foundation at 207-633-2703 or www.mainephotographyshow.com.