Sidney Sister Cities Association is gearing up for another 12 months of picturesque Sidney.
The association is seeking images for the 2013 calendar.
"This is the second time for the Sidney Sister Cities Association to be producing the calendar," said Bob McLure, chair of the SSCA calendar committee.
After four years of producing the calendar, the Town of Sidney decided last year to hand over production to the sister cities group which uses it as a fundraiser.
"We figured on 350 copies and we sold 850," McLure said. "The word got out and we had over 150 photos submitted. It was a real community effort."
Funds raised go to SSCA activities including exchanges and events, such as the annual welcome of the first Anacortes ferry of the year, which happens Sunday, March 25.
"We're working towards getting some student exchanges going and art exchanges between our Sister Cities and us," McLure said.
This year retailers around town will stock them by the end of June, in time for tourist season.
"It's a great souvenir," McLure said.
A committee uses a blind selection process to choose artwork. Criteria include sharpness of the image, subject matter and how well each photograph illustrates a facet of Sidney life. Photographs should be taken within the town limits of Sidney and may be either scenic or of people. If people are readily identifiable, the photographer is responsible for obtaining and submitting a signed release from the subject allowing his or her image to be used.
Photographers may submit as many photographs as they wish. Each image should be submitted on disk or on photographic paper
(glossy four-by-six inch format) by March 30.
Photographs should each be identified on the disc, or the back of the photo with photographer’s name and contact information.
Mail or deliver images to Bob McLure 9-2235 Harbour Rd., Sidney, V8L 2P7. For a copy of the guidelines contact McLure at 250-654-0488 or mclure@shaw.ca.
Disks and photographs will be available for return after June 30.