The Arts Council will present the 9th annual Double Exposure Juried Photography Exhibit today, Jan. 17, and running through Feb. 19.

Works by local Alabama photographers will be featured in either junior or adult divisions. The exhibits are located in the Bama Theatre’s Junior League Gallery for the adult division and the Greensboro Room for the junior division. On the last day of the exhibit, an awards ceremony and reception will take place at 2 p.m.

This year’s winners were announced Friday afternoon. First place in the junior division went to Brittany Britt from Montgomery for her piece called “Jessie,” and Michael Moore from Tuscaloosa earned first place in the adult division for “Coal Miner.”

“I was thrilled when the arts council called me about the award,” Moore said.

As the adult division winner, Moore received a $500 purchase award. In addition, an invitation was extended to him to host his own exhibit, which will be comprised of his most recent work at the Bama Theatre on a later date. This was the first time he entered his photography into a local contest. The next four runner-ups each received a $250 cash prize.

Moore’s friend Caleb O’Connor, who painted the murals in the new Tuscaloosa federal courthouse, needed a professional photographer to assist him in taking pictures of coal miners as they were leaving the underground mines. The murals showcase the history of Alabama and the significant role coal mining played.

These men and women had been working a 12-hour shift, finishing at 11 p.m. As they were coming up from the underground mines, Moore asked them for permission to take their portraits.

“The emphasis of the portrait was to try and convey how hard the men and women of the coal industry work,” said Moore.

Moore had always loved photography, but he became more interested in it during college here at the University of Alabama even though he was a business management major. He plans on using his cash prize to buy a frame for the photograph.

The gallery, located at 600 Greensboro Ave. in Tuscaloosa, is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Harrison Galleries and American Shutterbug sponsor the event.

For further information on Moore’s work and upcoming exhibit, visit www.michaeljmoorephotography.com. Additionally, to find out about upcoming exhibits and events for The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, go to www.tuscarts.org.