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This year’s 2016 Art Prize and Exhibition and the Photography Section of the Gunnedah Show opened with a bang on Friday night.
About 130 people attended the opening which showcased talent from across the region.
Photography convener Chris Burgess said this year’s show had attracted entries “beyond belief”.
“A lot of this is tied up with the new [Blackjack] camera club,” Mr Burgess said.
“It has almost 50 members in Gunnedah.
“It is a credit to those people and to the members of that club.”
Mr Burgess said juniors were well represented in the section but the interim category was not.
“I supposed the 16 to 18-year-olds have got different things on their mind,” he said.
The Grand Champion photograph went to Kate Oram for a photo of her daughter Poppy. Kate also won the Most Successful Exhibitor.
The Art Prize features a huge range of subjects and styles.
Well-known artist Hugh Oliveiro was the judge for the art prize and said it was the first time he had judged at an agricultural show.
“It was of a high standard without a doubt,” he said.
“There is so much talent and it needs to be nurtured.”
He said he believed a lot of funding went to sport, when the arts community was crying out for support.
“The nation is screaming out for innovative people,” Mr Oliveiro said.
“I thank God we have little enclaves that support art.”
Brad White was named as the Grand Champion for his work No Title.
Gunnedah Show 2016 Art Prize results
Grand champion: Brad White, No Title.
Section 1 Open: Robert Cull, Our Garden 1; Anne Knight, The Currawong 2.
Section 2 Painting: Shirley Urquhart, Market Square 1; Helen Stanley, Seeing the Subtle Hues 2; Corinne Hennessy, Pots and Pods HC.
Section 3 Drawing: Julie McNamara, New England Countryside 1; Robert Cull, Wildfire 2; Helen Stanley, Vines in the Stillness HC; Brad White, No Title HC.
Section 4 Print Making: Anne Pickett, Yum Yum 1; Kim Cameron, Apples in the Trees 2; Kristie Farquhar, Floating Downstream HC; Natalie Walters, Woman HC.
Section 5 Sculpture: Darcy Kelly, Peer Pressure 1; Fonda Shae, Nude Study in Clay 2; Anne Pickett, Concenteen Clown HC.
Section 6 Our Place: The Art Shed, Our Town 1; Louise Baker, The Old Hut 2; Shirley Urquhart, Ready for Picking HC; Emily Simson, Disperse HC.
Section 7 Creative Pottery: Louise Baker, Platter 1; Geoff Dawson, Shino Pot 2; Pat Tobin, Raku Teapot HC; Anne Simson, Pair of Pots HC.
Section 8 Novice: Marie Low, Out to Sea 1; Elizabeth Emmerson, Precious Moments 2; Kerrie Hargraves, O m’anam HC; Marie Low, Silos HC.
Section 9 Under 18 years: Isobel Carpenter, Heathen Slip Away 1; Kaitlyn Macauley, Scruffy Dog 2; Madison Taylor, Forest Comes Alive HC; Savanna Cull, Zebra HC; Hudson Dries, Chameleon Beatle HC; Hope Nicholls, Starfish Head HC.