The top $2000 Premier Locations Realty prize in this year's Arrowtown Autumn Festival art exhibition was awarded to Clyde artist Liz Kempthorne for her work Land With No People.
About 230 people attended the exhibition launch and the presentation of more than $5500 in prizes in the gallery of the Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown on Friday night.
Guest judge, professional artist David John, of Arrowtown, selected the winners from 180 artworks on the walls.
The 150th anniversary this year of the discovery of gold inspired the exclusive Locations gold award of $1500 for the artwork which reflected or depicted the precious metal in material, colour or theme.
The one-off prize was awarded to Ben Ho, of Queenstown, for Alpine Goldmine.
The $500 Print Central best local artist for painting went to Sandra McElrea, of Queenstown, for Cross.
The $500 Millbrook Resort best local artist for all mediums other than painting was taken by Queenstown artist Gay Downing for Gold circa 1900.
The $500 Berry & Co premier award for all mediums other than painting was awarded to Marie Velenski, of Cromwell, for Where is Love, a framed fused glass sculpture, while the festival committee sponsored prize for $250 emerging artist aged 25 years or under went to Kristopher Thomas, of Queenstown, for Sky Hawks Over Gold Country.
Arrowtown Gallery sponsored two merit awards of art supplies, which were presented to Arrowtown artist Emma Butler for Ruby in the Mood and Heather Rendel, of Queenstown, for Beyond.
The museum sponsored the third merit award, which was given to Ricky Julian, of Dunedin, for Golden Harvest.
The $250 Dezign Arrowtown people's choice award will be voted on during festival week and presented afterwards.
The show runs until May 20 and entry is by gold-coin donation. The show then makes way for the festival's Art 2 Wear wearable art collection, from May 25 to June 25.
