Present were many Greater Taree City councillors and mayor Paul Hogan along with federal member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie and patrons of Taree Artists Dr Colin Rose and Mave Richardson.

General manager of Greater Taree City Council,Ron Posselt, officially opened the exhibition and pointed out that the show has been going more than 60 years (run by the Greater Taree City Council before Taree Artists took it over).

Local Artist, Jo Ernst took out a number of prizes, winning first in both sections one and five. Jo was also awarded the major award of best work in the entire exhibition for her drawing titled "Drawing within"

"This work satisfies on many levels. Technically successful with interesting surface textures, combined with an enigmatic and evocative image," commented judge, Madeleine Szymanski.

This year sees many interesting works from local and interstate artists.

GALLERY: 2015 Taree Open Art Exhibition Set Up

The public is encouraged to vote for their own favourite work when attending the exhibition.

The exhibition continues to be open every day until Sunday, July 12, when it closes at 2 pm.

All other days opening hours are 9am to 4pm. Entry is free.

Prize winners at the Taree Open Art Exhibition 2015

Judged by Madeleine Szymanski

Major prize - best work in exhibition

Jo Ernst "Drawing within"

Section One - Works on board or canvas

1st prize: Jo Ernst "The Luthier"

2nd prize: Graham Cox "In the Widden Valley"

HC: Helga Visser "Catnap on Studio Dropsheet" - Jill Cairns "Falling Waters, Apsley Gorge"

Commended: Sue Burrows "Asian Still Life" - Yvonne Langshaw "On the Verandah"

Section Two - Any water-based medium

1st prize: Yvonne Langshaw "Domestic Implement"

2nd prize: Patricia Clarke "A Remembered Place"

HC: Christine Hogan "Afternoon Light" - Joy Cooksey "Misty Morning"

Commended: Brian Barker "Katherine Gorge" - Gerhard Ullman "Street of Tuscany"

Section Three - Pastels

1st prize: Jill Cairns "Powerful Presence"

2nd prize: Helga Visser "Tawny Frogmouth Family"

HC: Yvette Hugill "Afternoon Shadows" - Jill Cairns "Bush Majic"

Commended: Colina Grant "The Banks of the Shoalhaven River" - Rita Carossi "View from the Ridge, Gloucester"

Section Four - Open - All and mixed media

1st prize: Lyn Bemet "Supernova"

2nd prize: Yvonne Langshaw "Washing Day"

HC: Fred Bullen "Into the Bush #2" - Doreen Shaw "Morning Chorus"

Commended: Hil van Dijk "Orchid" - Roger Speaght "Before the Storm"

Section Five - Drawing

1st prize: Jo Ernst "Mieke"

2nd prize: Yvette Hugill "Whispering II"

HC: Colleen Palmer "Boundary Creek" - Julie Johnstone "The Cutting - Moments later"

Commended: Jenni Catt "Portrait of my Friend" - Kim Madden "An unforgiving Landscape" - Christine Long "Pencil Bear"

Section Six - Members of Taree Artists Inc.

1st prize: Jean Spokes "Summer Reflections"

2nd prize: Isabel Pringle "Rhapsody in Blue"

3rd prize: Paula Sarlemyn "Sunbathers"

HC: Christine Long "Lakeside Afternoon II" - Helen Holles "Barbary Lion - Lion of Judah"

Commended: Jim Livermore "Busy Day at Crowdy Bay" - Sandra Baker "Bec and Chilli"

Section Seven - Miniatures

1st prize: Jen Andrews "View from the Gallery"

2nd prize: Christine Hogan "New Life"

HC: Barbara O'Donnell "Lavender Fields" - Keith Blake "Ella Bay National Park"

Commended: Pat Barry "Murphy Baby Boxer" - Doreen Shaw "Bottom Paddock"

Section Eight - 3-D

1st prize: Lee Black "Circle of Life"

2nd prize: Naomi Grooteman "The Beauty of Aging"

HC: Eric Hull "Grass Tree" - Ross Parish "Fish and Chips 2015"

Commended: Lyn Bemet "The Hollows" - Helga Visser "Consumer Sentiment"

People's choice

To be announced at the end of the exhibition

Taree open exhibit becoming more experimental

Taree Open Art Exhibition 2005 to 2014