The two-day national photography exhibition Art in Your Heart Season II, organised by the PSTU Photography Club, was held on 6–7 December at Shawdhinata Chattar of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), drawing one of the largest audiences the campus has seen for an open-air art event.

This year’s exhibition received more than 3,800 photo submissions from over 400 participants across the country, marking a significant milestone and reflecting the event’s growing national reach.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the vice-chancellor of PSTU, who praised the initiative for creating a creative platform for young photographers. Set entirely in an open-air space, the exhibition allowed visitors to engage with photography in a natural environment, with students, teachers and guests exploring the installations throughout the day. Many visitors noted that the open setup made the event more accessible and vibrant.

A panel of experienced judges evaluated the submissions based on artistic quality, composition and storytelling. Cash prizes were awarded to top performers. In the single category, Sajib Karmakar of Chandpur College won first place, followed by Alif Hasan of East West University as first runner-up and Rakib Hasan Redoan (freelancer) as second runner-up. In the photo series category, M Sajjad Kabir of Counter Foto emerged as the winner. In the open category—Best Photo of PSTUPC—Md Masudur Rahman, vice-president of PSTUPC, and Rahat Bin Mustafiz, former president of PSTUPC, received the top honour.

The evening of 6 December featured an acoustic night, where musicians performed unplugged sets at Shawdhinata Chattar, adding a cultural dimension to the exhibition and creating a lively atmosphere for visitors.

The event concluded on 7 December with a prize-giving ceremony attended by guests, judges and faculty members. Winners received awards, while honourable mentions and participation certificates were presented to selected contributors.

Organisers said Art in Your Heart Season II highlighted community engagement, youth creativity and cultural expression, further strengthening PSTU’s growing presence in photography and campus-based cultural activities.