Detailed judging by Canberra's Paul Murray and Jodie Cunningham delight Merimbula and District Arts Group

MADAG president Kathryn Hede welcomed artists and guests saying how nice it was to have everyone back together to celebrate the annual art show after the COVID restrictions of the previous two years.

This is the group's only judged event which showcases some of the most creative quality art and craft produced within the currrent year and although numbers of entries for the awards were down on last year, Ms Hede said the quality was excellent.

And for the second year running Graeme Krake was awarded best in show, this year for his oil painting 'Rock at Bunga Beach'.

This year the fine art sections of the exhibition were judged by Paul Murray while craft sections were judged by Jodie Cunningham.

Visual arts teacher at the Canberra Institute of Technology, Mr Murray, is a well-recognised Canberra artist.

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Ms Cunningham is the CEO and artistic director of Craft ACT and is also an experienced arts leader, educator and artist.

"I am looking for stories and things that jump out at me; it's about stories and emotions in the work," Mr Murray said in explaining his approach to judging.

"The making of art connects you to place, to time and to your community and each painting is part of a time capsule," Mr Murray said.

Rather than just reading out his decisions on the winners of each category, Mr Murray took his audience to each painting to describe why he chose it and it was much appreciated by the artists and guests with many commenting afterwards how much they enjoyed Mr Murray's approach.

Ms Cunningham, also took the same approach in judging the craft sections.

"Art is part of life and when you are in an artistic group life is so much richer. The sense of community that you have and the collaboration makes your art better," Ms Cunningham said.

Winners and highly commended:

Best In Show Graeme Krake 'Rock at Bunga Beach'

First Prize Oil Jane Murphy 'Reflection'

Highly Commended Alicia Khachaturian 'Summer Morning'

First Prize Acrylic Pam Collins 'Brown Mountain Beauty'

Highly Commended Acrylic Lynda Plummer 'I Stand Alone'

First Prize Watercolour Mary Lea 'Echoes of Autumn'

Highly Commended Louise Miller 'Pambula Our Town 1950's'

First Prize Other works on paper Ray Hamilton 'After the fire: Greencape'

Highly Commended Beverley Leiter 'Voices'

First Prize Mixed Media Kathryn Hede 'Elements of Nature'

Highly Commended Marjorie Roche 'Streeeeech!'

Pam Johnson Encouragement Award Josie Shanahan 'White Cliffs of Dover'

Craft First Prize Peter Lynch 'Nautilus Carved Box'

Highly Commended Marjorie Roche 'Banksia' (Trivet)

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