BRIGHT Art Gallery's 61st Autumn Art Show held last Friday evening was a great success, with more than 500 works on show.
President Steve McCall said a 126 strong crowd enjoyed an "informative and entertaining" evening.
"Judge Ross Paterson is a well–respected artist around the world and his comments on the various winners were appreciated by all," he said.
"Sales were up on last year, totalling over $14,000 for the evening and there have been more since.
"I'm extremely pleased with the attendance and sales on the evening.
"We rely on such income for ongoing maintenance and to help fund our other activities such as workshops and concerts as part of our commitment to help provide artistic and cultural activities for the local communities."
The Best in Show prize of $5000 went to Fiona Bilbrough of Korumburra for her beautiful still life oil painting, entitled "Tea for One".
This painting will now become part of the gallery's permanent collection and will occupy pride of place during forthcoming exhibitions, the first of which is the Winter Exhibition run during the Victorian School Holidays in July.
The winners of the various other sections attracted a lot of interest:
Oil– Two Horse Power by Sue Hourigan (Corowa);
Acrylic–Mt Bogong Bouquet by Sharon Barry (Wodonga);
Watercolour De Castello Stables by Malcolm Webster (Forest Hill);
Pastel The Yellow Vase by Jennifer Paull (Baddaginnie);
Monochrome A Sense of Place by Kate Jenvey (Benalla);
Other media Wedge–Tailed Eagle linocut by Vida Pearson (Haddon);
Small Painting Campfires along the Goulburn by Vicki McKoy (Howlong);
Alpine Shire Scene Mt Buffalo Winter Hues by Glenys Baxter (Albury);
Alpine Shire artists Coral Ruffin and Anne Leech were awarded highly commended certificates.
"Many thanks are due to the group of keen locals who have volunteered for the various tasks that are a necessary part of putting on a large and long–running exhibition such as this," Steve said.
"Their enthusiasm and willingness to help is much appreciated, as is sponsorship for prizemoney provided by Bright on Track, Sage Family Lawyers and Bright Community Bank Branch of Bendigo bank."
The show is open daily from 10am until 4pm until it closes on May 7 at midday.
For more information go to www.brightartgallery.org.au or the Facebook page.
