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“ItÃÛèÖÊÓƵ a great collection of fine art photography from the region,â€� said Jeff McDonald, president of the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

The exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, July 5, with a special awards reception and gallery talk on Sunday, July 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Whitewater Arts Alliance, 402 W. Main St., Whitewater.

The exhibition concludes on Sunday, July 27, with a live performance by Pieces of Eight, a Wisconsin-based woodwind octet performing works by Mozart, Hidas, Kalinnikov, and a newly commissioned piece by composer Brian Packham.

“ItÃÛèÖÊÓƵ an educational experience,â€� said McDonald. “ItÃÛèÖÊÓƵ a chance to see some great photography.â€�

Kim Adams, Gallery Director of Whitewater Arts Alliance, added, “we’re excited to be a venue to celebrate� the talents of photographers in the region.

Visitors are encouraged to cast their votes for the Print ViewerÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Choice Award in person and for the Digital and Print PeopleÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Choice Awards online. Voting for these awards remains open throughout the exhibition, with winners announced on the final day of the show.

The annual exhibition honors the legacy of Fran Achen (1916–2004), a lifelong documentarian of Whitewater. Achen was a photographer, teacher, and community member whose work captured the changing face of the city across decades. Born in Kenosha, his passion for photography took root after high school, as he discovered the landscape of America while delivering cars for the Nash automobile company.

He later studied geography at Whitewater State Teachers College, where he became a photographer for the Royal Purple and the Minnieska yearbook. Additionally, he freelanced for the Janesville Gazette.

After serving in World War II, Achen returned home to open a photography studio in downtown Whitewater, where he worked for over a decade. He would go on to teach high school geography and serve as the assistant audio-visual director for the Janesville school district, all while quietly building a vast visual record of life in Whitewater through his lens.

Now in its 16th year, the Fran Achen Photography Exhibition continues to honor his legacy by showcasing the work of regional photographer. “One aspect is its exposure to some really high quality photographic art,� said McDonald. The juried exhibition features a wide range of styles and subjects, from landscapes to abstract works, and invites both emerging and experienced photographers to participate.

The 2025 jury panel brings decades of photographic and artistic experience to the selection process. On the jury panel, Jo Ribordy-Christofferson is an accomplished photographer and educator based in the Beloit area. A graduate of the New York Institute of Photography, she has taught at Blackhawk Technical College and is active at the Beloit Art Center, where she serves as treasurer, instructor, and photo club mentor. Her photographic work ranges from bird and landscape photography to portraiture and macro studies.

Also judging this yearÃÛèÖÊÓƵ entries, Gerald H. Emmerich, Jr., of East Troy, is internationally recognized for his contributions to photographic judging and exhibition. A longtime member of the Photographic Society of America, he has judged more than 150 international competitions and earned numerous accolades, including the PSA Lifetime Achievement Award and the PSA Grand Master-Platinum distinction for his exhibition success. His portfolio includes over 15,000 accepted works in exhibitions and dozens of top honors.

Lastly, Michael Havice brings a blend of academic expertise and artistic vision to this yearÃÛèÖÊÓƵ jury. A retired professor of broadcast and electronic communication at Marquette University, Havice holds advanced degrees in education, telecommunications, and curriculum design. Since retiring from academia, he has immersed himself in fine art photography, and his work has been exhibited in juried shows nationwide. He also remains active in the arts community, having served on the boards of organizations such as the Coalition of Photographic Arts and the Milwaukee Artists Resource Network.