AN ARRAY of unique and creative artwork decorated the walls of the Millicent Gallery on Thursday night as part of the Wattle Range Council Art Competition and Exhibition.
The gallery was filled with art enthusiasts observing 150 artworks from 50 different artists spanning the Limestone Coast and Victoria.
Judges were Country Arts SA visual arts coordinator Eleanor Scicchitano, Adelaide Contemporary Art Gallery ACE open curator Toby Chapman and award-winning experimental video artist Heath Franco.
The evening was opened by Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi who admired the wide range of work on display.
“I am proud to see the event grow over the three years, displaying the strong support it has received from not only locals but entrants from far afield,” Mr Gandolfi said.
Artist Dagny Strand wowed judges with her small, yet striking piece titled the Apple Sorter, winning first prize in the painting category.
Judge Toby Chapman said selecting The Apple Sorter as winner was a three hour process and resulted in judges making three or four laps of the gallery.
“The piece is a quiet work in many ways as it is small in size, I was immediately drawn to it from across the room,” Mr Chapman said.
“It had a certain clarity about it in terms of composition, it is a portrait without a face and to me that is quite powerful.”
Mr Chapman said all the judges agreed Ms Strand was a very deserving winner and the region had a thriving art community.
Winner in the drawing and painting category was Janet Cane for her work titled Seaweed and runner up was awarded to Anne Carpenter for her design titled Mile Hill After The Fire.
The ceramics and mosaics first prize was awarded to Jillian Gardner for her piece titled Unicorn Teapot and runner up was received by Carol Baxter for her creation titled Treasured.
Ross Tenney impressed judges with his work The Browl, winning best sculpture and runner up was awarded to Robert Reeves for his piece Anzacs.
The youth category winner was Kitty for her work In the Dark Light, and Shhh was runner up with a piece titled Whatever You Want.
Margaret Hage was a standout in the mixed media section for her piece Red Soil Dreaming, winning in the section while Julie Kent was the runner up with her work Spring.
The textile art award went to Jo Fife for the piece Ripe and runner up was Margaret Hage with Flower Garden.
