Cemetery photo contest yields riveting images

Story by Beth Donze, Clarion Herald; photos courtesy of New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries

Framed in a way that shows the pained face of the Blessed Mother juxtaposed against the feet of her crucified son, Michelle Chiappetta’s photo zeroes in on Mary’s grief in a new and poignant way.

Chiappetta’s artful composition caught the attention of judges of New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries’ 2020 photo contest, which invited shutterbugs of all ages to submit original shots taken inside the city’s 13 historic Catholic cemeteries. Winners and runners-up received cash awards and will have their work published in the agency’s 2021 calendar.

“It is just so profound, and I think it just really captures what our Catholic cemeteries are all about: Death and resurrection,” said New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries director Sherri Peppo, referring to Chiappetta’s image, taken inside St. Patrick Cemetery No. 3 and the first-place winner of the contest’s adult division.

Mary’s pain is palpable

Chiappetta said she was “humbled and excited” by the honor.

“I was struck by the quiet emotion of the statue of Mary sitting at the foot of her son,” she said of the captured scene. “I think of her pain often and what an amazing source of strength she is for us.”

Ashley Biehl, a St. Angela Merici sixth grader, earned first-place honors in the youth division, open to ages 9-17. The 11-year-old snapped her winning image inside St. Patrick Mausoleum on City Park Avenue after spotting a red rose tucked into the arm of a Carrara marble statue of Christ the Good Shepherd.

“We see (this statue) all the time in the mausoleum, but through a child’s eyes it’s just very striking,” Peppo said of Biehl’s arresting image. “The rose is not part of the statue – somebody put that in there. The coloring of it is very nice.”

Cemeteries spark creativity

Nearly 90 photos were submitted in this year’s contest, the second annual one to be organized by New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries. Eleven other photographers received runner-up recognition for their work and will soon see their images featured in the 2021 calendar.

Although Peppo would like to see even more participation in future contests, she said she was excited about the high quality of this year’s submissions.

“I think because people were looking for something to do over the summer during COVID-19, it was an opportunity for them to maybe go into the cemeteries and walk around peacefully,” she said.

Here is the complete list of winners: Michelle Chiappetta, first place (adults); Ashley Biehl, first place (youth); runners-up: Courtney Carroll, Clay Drewes, Ashley Horton, Carol Koleman, Marion LaNasa, Ava Lowe, Norwood Richard, James Sample, Jessica Schexayder, Joann Seaver and Erin Walcykowski. Another photo by Michelle Chiappetta received runner-up distinction and will appear on the cover of the calendar.

Copies of the 2021 calendar will be available in New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries’ administrative offices at 1000 Howard Ave. Pick-up times must be arranged in advance by calling (504) 596-3050. The calendars are free, but good will donations will be accepted.

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