The rain and wind which sprang up on Thursday evening did not deter a good number of competitors and interested viewers from rolling up to the railway station for the prize presentation and opening of Arts Council’s 2026 Art, Creative Craft and Photography competition.
Organisers and judges were impressed with the volume and standard presented by exhibitors for this year’s event with 142 artworks entered.
Cobar Quids prizes were presented by Aurelia Metals Peak Mine General Manager Angus Wyllie for first, second and third places in each of the 18 sections along with 14 Highly Commended certificates.
Tanya Greenshields’ portrait of ‘Sonny’ the Clydesdale won the Thellie Wade award for Best Painting and Jane Murray was presented with the Joan Singleton Point Score Award for the Most Successful Exhibitor.
‘The Packers’ Junior prize went to Davey McKay’s pottery miniature tea set, while Zandria Chmura took the adult award for the most entries.
The People’s Choice prize went to Tanya Greenshields’ ‘Sonny’.
The ongoing generous support from Aurelia Metals/Peak Mine enables Cobar Arts Council to hold this event annually to encourage creativity and involvement within the communityIt also provides a showcase for locals and visitors to enjoy.
The winners were: Section 1 Drawing (any medium)–1st Jane Murray, 2nd place Jennifer Barton and 3rd Jan Johnson; Section 2 Painting (any style, any medium)–Aimee Freeman, Jane Murray and Bailey Gibbons; Section 3 Contemporary/Abstract (any style or medium)–Jane Murray, Ann Maree Johnson and Anita Neate; Section 4 Figurative/Portrait or Animal (paint)–Tanya Greenshields and Jane Murray (2nd and 3rd places); Section 5 Watercolour painting (any style)–Tanya Greenshields and Suzie Wells (2nd and 3rd places); Section 6 Landscape Painting (acrylic or oil)–Ann Maree Johnson, Bailey Gibbons and Jan Johnson; Section 7 Pottery (hand or wheel built)–Suzie Wells, Jan Johnson and Jane Murray; Section 9 Sculpture (3D object)–Susan Singleton and Joan Maiden (2nd and 3rd); Section 10 Artform in any medium–1st, 2nd and 3rd Jane Murray; Section 11a Creative Crochet–Jasmin Angell, Jane Siermans and Zandria Chmura; Section 11b Creative Stitchery–1st and 2nd Iryna Barrett, and 3rd Zandria Chmura; Section 11c Creative Paper Art–1st and 2nd Jan Johnson and 3rd Liz Whiteman; Section 12 Any Cultural Item–1st and 2nd Holly Marsden; Section 13 High School Years 7-9–1st and 2nd Sarah Neate; Section 14 High School Years 10-12–1st and 2nd Isobel Willard and 3rd Jaina Chandler; Section 15 Primary Years K-3–Pearl Toomey, Anna Mckay and Charlie Mckay; Section 16 Primary Years 4-6–Grace Mackay, Amelia Freeman and Davey McKay; Section 18 Photography–Michaela Tonnisson, Isobel Willard and Anna McKay.
