Winners have been named at Arts of the Pamlico’s 53rd-annual Fine Arts Show.

The show, one of the biggest shows AOP holds all year, opened last week with a reception. Debra Torrence, executive director of AOP, said artists were asked to only submit two pieces instead of the previous maximum of four, but the show still featured 143 pieces of artwork of all types — oils, acrylics, graphics, mixed media and three-dimensional.

“The quality of the work was outstanding, and the diversity was wonderful,” Torrence said.

Mike Bennett took home the Best in Show Award for his “Self Portrait” painting, as well as the People’s Choice Award. His work, along with the other 143 entries, is hung in the Turnage Theatre Gallery and will be on display until Nov. 25.

Torrence encouraged the community to come and support the local artists of Beaufort County. She said three pieces have already been sold, and that’s a good amount considering the show has only been open for a week.

The Fine Arts Show is one of three annual shows for AOP, including the photography show and member show. Torrence said the planning has already begun for next year’s show — AOP has already picked a date for 2018.

“It takes a village to have a show of this magnitude. Submissions, then jury, then hanging and rehanging and rehanging. It’s several weeks of work that goes into one of these shows,” Torrence said.

Artwork is on display at Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre, located at 150 W. Main St., Washington.

Winners:

The Frances M. and William R. Roberson Jr. Best in Show Award

“Self Portrait” by Mike Bennett

53^rd Fine Arts Show winners announced

 

Creative Illusions Award

“Echoes of a Fallen Tree” by Janie Prete

 

Arts of the Pamlico 3-D Art

“Chinos Composition” by Manfred Rott

Washington Garden Club Award

“Eye of the Iris” by Lissa McGowan

 

Irene Glover Forbes Pottery Award

“Tea for Two” by William Alley

 

Best in Beaufort County Margaret Hodges Hackney Award

“Lunch Bunch” by Pat Holscher

 

East Carolina Wildfowl Guild Award

“Patience” by Carol Mann

 

The Young Ones Award

“Woman in Shower” by Kendrick Holiday

 

The Sound Rivers Award

“Fish Tales of the Neuse” by Kittie Rue Deemer

 

Franke K. Rumley Textile Award

“King & Queen of Fairy” by Paula Zimmerman

 

The Lane People Prize

“Light Play” by Jeffrey Jakub

 

Judges’ Awards:

“St. Martin Church” by Mike Bennett

“Sunshine on My Shoulder” by Ginger Gehres

“Ice Cream Girls” by Dixie Leibert

“Hard Work” by Dorothy McLennon

 

The People’s Choice Award – Mike Bennett