The Art of Photography Show, an international exhibition, will open April 25, 2008 with the Opening Reception Gala and Awards Ceremony, a free public reception, from 6 to 9 p.m.  This world-class photography exhibit will run April 25 to May 23, 2008 at the elegant Lyceum Theatre Gallery , located in San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. Approximately 20,000 people are expected to view the Show during the four-week run.

For this juried competition, more than 12,200 entries were submitted by artists representing 46 countries. The judge for The Art of Photography Show is Carol McCusker, who selected 102 pieces to be exhibited -- the best of the best!  Dr. McCusker is the Curator of Photography at the Museum of Photographic Arts.

At the Opening Reception Gala and Awards Ceremony on April 25th, an estimated 1,500 people from all over the world will be in attendance, including most of the exhibiting artists. The stunning 76-page show catalog will be available for free to those in attendance at the Opening Reception. A total of $5,200 in cash awards will be presented that night to the top 16 artists chosen by Dr. McCusker.

"Though we are very excited to receive a record-breaking number of entries this year, the thing which really thrills us is the overall caliber of the photography. The work is fantastic, including images from many significant and well known photographic artists." said Steven Churchill, curator and founder of the event.  "Carol McCusker is a very highly respected luminary in the photographic art world. This is why so many world renowned photographers and top-notch photo journalists submitted their work."

"The photography within this exhibition stands out as contemporary art," said Lisa Smith, associate producer of the event. "The pieces selected by Carol McCusker were created by artists with something to say about our time. This aspect of 'voice' is very valuable to serious contemporary art collectors today."