For the open art prize, the first prize was won by Stephanie Field for her work Precious.

"This piece is powerfully simple, poignant and beautifully crafted. It expresses everything we feel about water at the moment," Ms Franklin said.

Ms Field's prize is a ceramic piece Octopus, made and donated by Anneke Paijmans.

Lucy Jurek-Macey was runner-up with Reflection.

"This is not only a beautiful image but one that has captured a sense of the important relationship between tree and creek, between forest and waterways - they are part of each other, one cannot exist without the other," Ms Franklin said.

"It creates a feeling that it is not just the tree that is reflecting, it is also the viewer."

Ms Jurek-Macey's prize is a Stoneware Water Filter donated by Mitre 10 and a $100 voucher from Valley Art.

There were four honourable mentions: Keith Coleman, Pip Marshman, Karen Sedaitis and Sylvia Wall.

Running concurrently is the Water STREET ART Exhibition, on display in Horizon Bank window, 184 Carp St, Bega on the corner of Ayers Walkway, where you can view contributions by the 21 and under artists.

First prize went to Leo Burgess for The Night Water Leaf, who won a $50 voucher from Inkwell Art.

Runner-up was Kate Oastler for Basin. Her prize was a $35 voucher from Candelo Books.

The exhibitions run to March 3 at Spiral Gallery, 47 Church St, Bega.