The annual exhibition and awards were open to Otago Art Society members and included a Youth Award section for artists under the age of 25 years, with $1500 in prize money donated by the Hughes Family Trust in memory of Elizabeth Howie.
The winner of the Elizabeth Howie Young Artist Award was Josceline Winslad for her mixed media work Sea Green, with special mentions to Ana Rathbone for oil painting Supernova, and Harriet Hawksworth for sculpture Intestine I.
Judged by local artist Nic Dempster, the annual exhibition also offered a range of other awards, covering painting, printmaking, landscape painting, and excellence in any medium.
The winner of the Mollie & John Pledger Art Award was Nina Hesom-Williams for Moke Lake (acrylic on canvas), the John H. Pledger Drawing Award went to Laura Davis for Mac Bay Pit Stop (gouache and pencil) and the Francis Nicholls Landscape Award went to Nelle Paton for Waikouaiti Sunset (acrylic on canvas).
The winner of the Rona Dyer Cup for Printmaking was Gillian Pope for Into the Hills (mono screen print), the Roy Dickison Trophy for Heart of the South went to Bev Jones for Boulder (ceramic vessel), and the winner of the Hughes Family Trust Award for Excellence was Sarah Freiburger Greengages for Elfriede (oil).
Otago Art Society council member Tash Hurst said it had been wonderful to receive 160 entries, showing the enthusiasm for the awards from society members.
Volunteers had also played a vital role in setting up the exhibition.
