The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced the winners of its 20th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Judges selected first, second, and third place winners in four contest categories as well as 12 honorable mentions from a field of 334 entries.
“These award-winning images serve as a visual reminder of what makes New York’s canals distinctly beautiful and worth preserving. Thank you to the talented photographers who submitted images and shared their perspectives on these extraordinary places,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Winning images include six winners and nine honorable mentions from the Greater Rochester area, including Claire Talbot of Hilton and Joe Pompili of Spencerport.
Images can be viewed online and will be featured in the popular 2026 Erie Canalway Calendar, available at no cost in libraries, visitor centers, and by request starting December 1. Funding support for the calendar is provided by the NYS Canal Corporation and the National Park Service.
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “As we look ahead to our third century of operation, we are committed to celebrating canal-related arts and culture. These photographs, submitted by an ever-talented cadre of canal enthusiasts, embody some of the most beautiful aspects of our canals and support our mission.”
Winning photos can be viewed at https://eriecanalway.org/resources/gallery/photo-contests.
Provided information and photos
2025 Erie Canalway Photo Contest Winners
Canal Communities
1st Place, Schoen Place Twilight (Pittsford) by Mark Maccio, East Rochester
2nd Place, Pittsford in Winter (Pittsford) by Tom Kredo, Rochester
3rd Place, Lock Tenders Tribute in Bronze (Lockport) by Anne Schiferle, Amherst
Classic Canal
1st Place, Where the Canal Meets the Sky (Canajoharie) by Adam Fine, Liverpool
2nd Place, Autumn Color (Adams Basin) by Claire Talbot, Hilton
3rd Place, Riverie Crossing (Rochester) by Sarah Woodams, Pittsford
Along the Trail
1st Place, Morning Glory (Little Falls) by Corey Adams, Little Falls
2nd Place, Morning Walk on the Canal (Pittsford) by Dan Judd, Rochester
3rd Place, First Snowfall (Spencerport) by Joe Pompili, Spencerport
On the Water
1st Place, Spirit of Buffalo (Buffalo) by Beverly Goldschmidt, Lewiston
2nd Place, Tranquility in an Aqueduct (DeWitt) by Adam Fine, Liverpool
3rd Place, Canalway Reflections (Little Falls) by Melissa Bicknell, Little Falls
Honorable Mention Recipients (listed west to east)
Fishing Huts (Buffalo) by Robert Klick, Williamsville
Frozen Crossing (Tonawanda) by Joseph Marshall, North Tonawanda
Winter Wonderland (Medina) by Peggy Barringer, Albion
Reflections of Flame (Spencerport) by Joe Pompili, Spencerport
Sunny Day (Spencerport) by Michael Diponzio, Rochester
Autumn Colors Along the Canal (Fairport) by Keith Boas, Fairport
Sunset After Rain (Fairport) by Brandon Sprung, Victor
Village Lights (Fairport) by Kevin Tubiolo, Rochester
Port of Pittsford (Pittsford) by Dan Judd, Rochester
Geese Head South (Pittsford) by Dan Judd, Rochester
Lock 32 Walk (Pittsford) by Alan Schwartz, Rochester
Autumn Canal Trail Walk (Pittsford) by Danan Zheng, Pittsford
