2025 Award Winners
Judge: Ben Winspear

Grand Winner $3000
Supported by Patrons -Brown Family Wine Group, 3 Black Sheds, Christmont Wines, Darling Estate, Moyhu Farm Stay, Red Feet Wines

Won by Ben Jenkins -Tiepolo progression in blue

Judge’s comments: At times the ethereal says more than the real. As a judge I am required to look
closely at any work that immediately jumps out at me – and this pastel painting certainly did. While it has realistic elements of a misty mountain scene, the large spaces surrounding that say so much more . This work gives the viewer plenty of room for their imagination, feeling and play. For the person looking at it to bring As much of their own experience as much as the paintings itself. All made with a
beautiful, sensitive technique – it makes for a work that kept me coming back several times to look at it and commanded my attention. Superbly framed as well. A very worthy winner.

Oil/Acrylic $1500
 Supported by Hargraves Secured Investments 
Won by Kathy Ellem – We mean business

Judge’s Comments: A striking  work with a low viewpoint and close cropped frame gives the well deserved power to this magnificent team of horses. Very well executed in a limited palette and masterfully painted using the raw canvas to accentuate the colours and forms. A strong work

Oil/Acrylic $750
Supported by Friends of the Art Show
Won by Vanessa Kelly -Vines in the Mist

Judge’s comments: I just fell in love with this painting when I first saw it and which to me is an iconic scene if King Valley. Having visited here many, many times in all seasons and weathers this painting just stood out and immediately brought back memories of many delightful times painting the vines in on a misty morning. A lovely little work.

Pastel $1000
Supported by Pizzini Wines ( since 1998)
Won by Stephen McCall -Autumn on the Buckland

Judge’s comments: A sparkling river scene of the Buckland Valley. Painted in impressionistic strokes and vibrant colours evoking the lovely light of the Buckland Valley and a Victorian river scene we all know so well.

Pastel $750 Supported by Friends of the Art Show
Won by Jeanette Graham – Gang Gang Love

Judge’s comments: A skilful depiction of these characters. If anyone has seen them you know how cheeky and entertaining they are to watch. Their character very well depicted in the paste painting with skill and insightful observation.

Work on Paper $1000
Supported by King River Brewing
Won by Karen Brown – Winter

Judge’s comment: ‘ Winter’ Again I just love this work! As a big fan of drawing you don’t often see it on this scale and this well executed. I would describe it as mesmerising. So much to see and the technique is on point. Id be very happy to wake up to this on my wall everyday.

Work on Paper $750
Supported by Friends of the Art Show
Won by Catherine Fuller- Winton Wetlands The View
from Robertsons Hill

Judge’s comments: A magical little gem. On a foundation of lyrical drawing with added limited colour and a central composition gives this drawing a wonderful sense of intrigue. The seemingly simple shapes but interesting shapes give it an abstract quality of the landscape it portrays. I liked this one a lot.

Watercolour/Gouache $750
Supported by Super Axe
Won by Graham Wade- Crystal Bowl with Fruit & Wine

Judge’s comments: A very nice traditional still life again tackled with the challenges of watercolour. Good,
solid composition and clean colours portray a variety of gourmet objects. All this comes together to bring a delight to the viewer – would hang well in anybody’s home.

Watercolour/Gouache $1000 
Supported by Friends of the Art Show
Won by  Pamela Moore- Wistful

Judge’s comments: A sensitive portrait painted with skill in the difficult medium of watercolour. An excellent use of wet into wet and detail work – understated but more than enough to bring out the character of the person. All backed up by good drawing. A worthy winner of the watercolour/gouache section.

Printmaking $1000
Supported by BankWAW
Won by  Ninetta Santoro – Arkaroola Valley

Judge’s comments: As a regular visitor to the Flinders Ranges I think this print depicts the Arkaroola
Valley in a solid way…much as it is. With muted colours and a strong design working together to bring some of the essence of this magnificent place to the viewer.

Printmaking $750
Supported by Friends of the Art Show
Won by Sara Cope- Birds eye view

Judge’s comments: A little gem of print of a nest and feather. Love the abstract shape of the nest vs the realist feather. And very well presented in the see through frame. Delightful.

Tony Judd Memorial Award -Local Artist $1000
Supported by Judd Family
Georgina Wills- Ecologist

Judge’s comments: Another favourite of mine here in the show. A collage of ‘watercolour?’ elements pasted together to form a landscape with power and strength. I found the clouds and rays particularly appealing. A good work.

Barb Sartori Memorial Award- King Valley Theme $1000
Supported by King Valley Arts
Won by Georgia Aldous- Dunes

Judge’s Comments: One of my favourites in the show with the artist showing us more with less. Simple
marks and washes – but not simplistic. And just enough placed in the right areas to
draw the viewer into their own journey of discovery of this intriguing work.

Young Artist $500
Supported by River Arts Oxley
 Won by Edan van Bergen – 2

Judge’s comments: I really wanted to encourage this young fellow for his innovation and uniqueness
which is so good to see. The torch addition is a very cool touch. Make sure you try it out as you look at the works. Well done Edan.

Judge’s Gem $500
Supported by Friends of the Art Show and King Valley Arts
Won by Van de Graaff Bronwyn- Don’t Break

Judge’s comments: At times its difficult to put into words what it is when you fall in love with a painting as I did with this still life. It immediately caused me to think of several great artists that have said ‘if you can paint the roundness of an egg you can paint anything’. Painted in the classical technique with a sensitivity and careful observation that is hard to put into words. Those eggs are so round! A very nice work.

People’s Choice $500
Supported by King Valley Tourism Association

Won by Kathy Ellem – We mean business