Indira Carmichael was all smiles in 2017 when she was Highly Commended in the River of Art prize. Her smile was even bigger on Thursday, May 17, when she won the 2018 prize with her golden work, Midas’ Daughter.
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Bermagui artist Mike Barnard won second prize for his painting, Birthing.
Third prize was presented to Bethany Thurtell for Introspective.
Winners were announced at the festival’s opening ceremony at the SoArt Gallery in Narooma.
Ms Carmichael - shire artist and creative arts coordinator – was awarded the $2000 first prize for her work in ink and pencil on paper.
Opening the festival, Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes said the awards were a tribute to the region’s talented artists.
“Each year, the River of Art festival showcases our region’s creativity,” Cr Innes said.
“No wonder more and more visitors come here to join in the festivities and discover what inspires our community.”
The judging panel comprised three renowned professional artists – Ken Taber (head of the panel), Rita Wagner and Pauline Balos.
Ken Taber, who won first prize in 2017, praised the standard of works, saying this had made the panel’s task very challenging.
Fifty-six diverse artworks were submitted, ranging from oil and acrylic paintings, pastels, sculptures, photography, collages, textiles and mixed media.
Finalists’ works are on show at the SoART Gallery.
Other artworks submitted are on display in a Salon de Refusés at the Narooma School of Arts’ Studios.
Both exhibitions are open daily until June 2.
Visit www.riverofart.com.au for times and directions.
From South Durras to Bermagui, artists have opened their home studios and presented exhibitions for the festival, which draws visitors from regional NSW, Sydney and Melbourne.
Art lovers can take a peek behind the scenes and watch some of the shire’s most successful artists work through the creative process, as a part of the Open Studio program.
The 2018 festival burst its banks on Wednesday with Rocks & Clouds - the Divine & the Down to Earth at Durras Progress Hall, South Durras. This year’s line-up includes exhibitions, workshops, music, theatre, comedy, film, busking and storytelling – with more than 100 events on offer from May 17 to 20.