Two SADA students tabbed finalists in national photography competition

Photographs by two Liberty University Department of Studio and Digital Arts students were chosen as finalists in a national competition hosted by Photographer’s Forum Magazine and sponsored by Nikon.

Photographs by Vicki Vasquez and Amber Lachniet were featured in the magazine’s 33rd annual Best of College and High School Photography Contest. The award-winning quarterly publication echoes the voices of photographers from the U.S. and Canada by reproducing their photos. Every year it hosts a photography contest for high school and collegiate artists, showcasing the talents of these emerging creatives.

Todd Smith, chair of the SADA department, expressed his pride in these students’ accomplishments.

“They have applied the skills and techniques gained in the SADA courses and translated them to their craft. To compete at the national level and gain recognition is a huge honor and testament to their creativity,” he said.

Liberty’s SADA department is one of the top art schools among Christian colleges and universities nationwide. Under Liberty’s School of Communication and Creative Arts, it offers majors in Graphic Design, Studio Art, and Studio Art with Teacher Licensure, and minors in Graphic Design, Studio Art, and Photography.

Every year, Liberty trains more and more artists to be lights in this world as Champions for Christ. Since it officially launched in 2006, SADA has exploded from 150 to well over 500 declared majors. These students shine in local and national competitions, including the ADDYs.

Dr. Norman Mintle, dean of the School of Communication and Creative Arts, said the school is in the business of nurturing Christian artists to find their creative voices as believers.

“As they continue to pursue excellence — as demonstrated by being published in this prestigious magazine — our mission to engage the culture with truth and beauty is accomplished yet again.”