Washington Ringer Lian von Wantoch has won the "Bells in Art" category of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers photography competition. The Central Council, based in England, is a central body that promotes the art of Change Ringing through its affiliated organizations like the North American Guild.

Lian's winning photo is entitled Stained glass window at St Machar, Aberdeen. The judge commented that "...this was interesting as a well-designed use of the bell as art in the stained glass window. However, the photograph added a further dimension, cleverly including the remarkably elusive images of the monuments seen through the glass. Creating a sympathetic addition to the image that encompassed the role of bells that are rung and heard by us for our brief temporal existence, but ring for centuries through time."

Lian was proud to represent the Guild. "I took the photo on a ringing tour of Scotland in 2007, the year I started learning to ring.  I loved the way you can see the churchyard through the window, which is in the ringing room.  I’m excited the photo was selected.  It is great to see the NAGCR represented."

For more information about this round, see the Central Council press release. You may also view a gallery of all entrants.

Photo by Lian von Wantoch, used by permission.