TWO entries in the 2024 King Valley Art Show tied for the People's Choice award, in what is a first for the popular arts event which has been running for over two decades.
From more than 300 artworks on display, the two artworks of different styles attracted an equal number of the highest votes, submitted by up to 1000 visitors to this year's exhibition earlier this month.
Taking out the award were local artist Kathy Ellem for Young and bold (oil on linen), and Melbourne-based artist Nina Volks for High Country (watercolour).
King Valley Arts president Anita Laurence said it was an unusual occurrence and while both paintings were very different, they were equally striking on the exhibition's walls.
"We decided instead of dividing the prize, we'd sponsor a second prize to support our wonderful artists," she said.
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"Each artist will receive $500, courtesy of the King Valley Tourism Association's sponsorship of the People’s Choice Award, with a second $500 award being supported by King Valley Arts."
Ms Laurence said the winning artists were delighted to receive the awards, as the show wrapped up for another year.
She said along with consistently strong visitation over all three days following the gala opening on November 1, around 60 artworks were sold during the event.
"We are very pleased and feel we've had great support from locals this year as well as from those visiting the region over the long weekend," she said.
King Valley Arts is now preparing for its next event - a comedy night at the Myrrhee Soldiers Memorial Hall on Friday, November 15 from 6pm featuring Kel Balnaves, Rusty Berther and Damian Callinan, with tickets $20 available via Trybooking or at kingvalleyarts.com.au/comedy-night-in-myrrhee/.
