Ware’s “The Red Carpet” was used in most of the print promotional materials such as posters and flyers for the annual festival.
The same photograph won Ware an award during the 2009 Channel 2 Flame Tree Photograph contest.
In a statement, Ware said he took the photo near the Japan Peace Memorial.
“I happened to be there one early morning after a night of rain showers. The showers had knocked a lot of blossom off the trees but that year was exceptional for the full trees and the sun was just coming up. Right place at the right time,” Ware said.
Ware, who has been living and photographing on Saipan for the past 10 years, said he makes it part of his daily routine to visit Marpi and surrounding areas to photograph and enjoy the uncluttered beauty of the area.
“The flame tree season is one of my favorite times of the year and every year is a little different than the previous,” he said.
Saipan has a wealth of talented artists who should be encouraged to continue developing artistically, he added.
Ware will have a booth at the Flame Tree Arts Festival which will feature his latest photography, photographic prints on metallic paper and cutting edge metal prints or aluminum. Visit Ware’s website at http://www.flickr.com/photos/leslie_ware/ to see his work.
Overall event chairman Parker Y. Yobei said they also used a photograph in the promo materials taken by another local artist, Lorraine Liwiski.
“We take pride in our local artists and we highlight their works of art through the Flame Tree Arts Festival. That is our main goal. We hope that the entire community will support all our talented artists by visiting their booths at the festival and even buying their creations,” Yobei said.
This year’s festival will be held at American Memorial Park, west of the Bell Tower, in Garapan from June 9 to 12. The theme is “Celebrating 30 years of Uniting Cultures and Traditions.”
The Committee and the Arts Council is inviting the whole community to come out, support and enjoy the largest annual arts and cultural celebration in the islands.
For more information, call 322-9982 or 83 or email ftaf30@yahoo.com.
