A THRONG of colourful folk were pleased to attend the award ceremony for the current Adelaide Swift Memorial Art Awards (ASMAA) held on the evening of Tuesday 26 September at South West Rocks.

Adelaide Swift was a feisty lady, and a great supporter of local artists, especially young and emerging talent.

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First time host, South West Rocks Community Art Gallery (SWRCAG), were pleased to enlist local accomplished artists Simon Mark and Carly Marchmant as judges for the various categories, with the main prize valued at $3000 being awarded to 86-year-old Merryl Neylon, from Coramba, with a sublime work entitled ‘Form’.

“The standard of entries is out of this world, and the exhibition has attracted artists from all over the mid north coast, Queensland, Sydney, and further afield,” Gallery volunteer Jenny Yule said.

Though this is the first Adelaide Swift Memorial Art Awards organised by SWRCAG, there have been eleven previous exhibitions run by various entities with the last being managed by South West Rocks Rotary, who were present as valuable added support.

The event is generally held every second year and this year attracted 178 entries, which exceeds previous years.

Gallery President Norma Flint, a very capable MC for the event and following celebration, said, “I am delighted that these Awards have found a home here at our gallery.

“It is an honour to be able to continue the legacy that Adelaide Swift so generously left to encourage and promote art and artists in this community and beyond.

“We feel that Adelaide would be thrilled to bits that it is now taking place in our gallery.

“The creativity of the artists who have entered this year and the quality of their work is outstanding.”

To date, eleven works have been sold via the Gallery, with the exhibition open to the public until 15 October.

To view selected works visit www.facebook.com/swrcag or www.swrcag.com.au for more information.

Other prize results:

Oil/Acrylic Painting

$500 – The Arts & Crafts Association Award, best in category – Merryl Neylon

$100 – Highly Commended, Maritime Precinct Award – Gregory Coates

$50 – Commended, Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle Award – Dell Adams-Nuhoglu

Water Based Medium

$500 – The NRMA Parks & Resorts Award, best in category – Kristin Hardiman

$100 – Highly Commended, Maritime Precinct Award – Robyn Jackson

$50 – Commended, Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle Award – Bernice Daher

Pastel & Drawing

$500 – The Coastline Credit Union Award, best in category – Jacomiene Betlem

$100 – Highly Commended, Maritime Precinct Award – Jill Cairns

$50 – Commended, Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle Award – Narelle Wain

Traditional Mixed Media

$500 – The Macleay Valley Arts Council Award, best in category – Gregory Coates

$100 – Highly Commended, Maritime Precinct Award – Jan Von Schoenberg

$50 – Commended, Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle Award – Jean McGurren

Youth Award (11 – 15 years)

$250 – The Seabreeze Hotel Award, best in age group – Lyla Eklund

$100 – Highly Commended, SWR Estuary charters Award – Chloe Smith

$50 – Commended, Jenny Millsteed & Wal Collins Award – Peyton Hardesty

Youth Award (16 – 18 Years)

$250 – The Seabreeze Hotel Award, best in age group – Trinity Kerry

$100 – Highly Commended, SWR Estuary charters Award – Samantha Douglas

$50 – Commended, Jenny Millsteed & Wal Collins Award – Trinity Kerry

People’s Choice Award

$300 – The SWR Newsagency Award – TBA

Packing Room Prize

$50 – SWRCAG Gift Voucher – Gail Cardow

By Jen HETHERINGTON