An original photograph by Dan Karvasek of Freeland was chosen as the winner of Whidbey Telecom’s 2011-12 Directory Cover Art Competition.

The new directory cover, to be published in November, will feature Karvasek’s photograph, “Great Blue Heron.”

The competition’s judging panel was headed by Whidbey Telecom’s chairwoman, Marion F. Henny, and one of its two CEOs, Julia H. DeMartini. In addition, local artists Betty Rayle and Libby Berry helped adjudicate the entries.

“It continues to be such an inspiration and a privilege to share this process with local artists and our community,” DeMartini said.

“We are blessed to live in an area that is abundant in creativity and talent,” she added. “We are pleased that Whidbey Telecom’s 2011-12 directory cover will represent a wonderful artistic creation and help make our directory cover a beautiful work of art. We want to extend our appreciation to all the artists who submitted their work for consideration in our Directory Cover Art Competition and, again, encourage local artists to spread the word and participate in next year’s competition.”

Karvasek will receive $500 and his creation will be featured on the cover of approximately 20,000 telephone directories.

Directories are usually mailed to Whidbey Telecom subscribers on South Whidbey, Hat Island and Point Roberts in early November.