The annual Pacific Palms Art Festival has been hailed an overwhelming success, after attracting record entries and record crowds during the June long weekend.
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Entries were up 60 per cent on last year, with 219 artworks on display.
More than 250 members of the general public visited the exhibition on Saturday alone.
At the official opening on Friday night, judge and National Art School director Steven Alderton said the beauty of the Pacific Palms region was clearly mirrored in the work on display.
"You have a great environment and great artists and we're seeing that in the work," he said.
Mr Alderton announced winners in five sections, with the coveted $2000 Pacific Palms Art Prize going to Whoota-based artist, Marilyn Cranfield.
Ms Cranfield said she was thrilled to have taken out the major award after entering the competition for more than 20 years.
Her oil painting titled, 'Road to Boat Beach, Seal Rocks' was described by the judge as a "Beautiful evocation of a much loved, familiar place."
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Former Pacific Palms Public School student, Rachel Reading, won first place in the open media section with her charcoal drawing, 'Bloomin Bream'.
Mrs Reading said she hoped to inspire other children at the school to be true to themselves and to believe in themselves to have a go.
Great Lakes College Year 12 student, Juliette Clough, was awarded both highly commended and second place in the open section.
Mr Alderton praised the young artist for the detail in her work.
Also at the opening, former Pacific Palms Public School principal and festival founder, Ken Pares, paid tribute to retiring patrons, Reg and Sally Richardson.
"It's been a delight to know both Reg and Sally over the years," Mr Pares said.
"Reg has been a tireless worker for medical research and indigenous education and he actually raised millions of dollars for these causes around Australia.
"It is to his credit that he still made time to give so much to this community and the art festival in particular."
Results:
Overall winner
Marilyn Cranfield, 'Road to Boat Beach, Seal Rocks' (oil)
Oil or acrylic
Winner: Nicole Bramble, 'Summers Calling' (acrylic)
Runner-up: Lyn Polly Kimmorley, 'On the Way to Blueys' (acrylic)
Highly commended: Marina Bishop, 'Path from the Beach' (acrylic); Kim Madden, 'Ferry Ride' (oil)
Watercolour/pastel
Winner: Amy Barnett, 'Ocean Discovery' (pastel)
Runner-up: Barbara Atkins, 'Seaforth to Sydney' (watercolour)
Highly commended: Maddalena Piola, 'Bark Peeling Gums' (watercolour)
Open (includes mixed media/pen/pencil/ink)
Winner: Rachel Reading, 'Bloomin Bream' (charcoal)
Runner-up: Juliette Clough, 'Gracefully' (graphite pencil on paper)
Highly commended: Juliette Clough, 'More Than a Woman' (graphite pencil on paper)
Photography
Winner: Kian Bates, 'Lions Roar' (framed)
Runner-up: Anthony Dummett, 'Cellito' (photo)
Highly commended: Lynda Love, 'Homecoming' (cyanotype)
Environmental - 'Droughts and Flooding Rains'
Winner: Bernice Daher, 'But Will It Rain?' (mixed media)
Highly commended: Katrina Norman, 'Roadtrip Inland' (acrylic); Rebecca Adams, 'The Fragile Balance' (acrylic on burlap canvas)
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