THE Annual Spring Exhibition of the venerable Artists Society of Canberra has opened without the usual razzmatazz with nearly 300 paintings by members on show at the Fitters Workshop.

Vice-president Angharad Dean said: “Despite the uncertainties created by COVID, we are extremely pleased that we are able to hold our 79th Exhibition. Our members have given it their all and the judges commented on the high quality of the 289 works.”

Entries were judged by artists Leigh Walker and Dennis Mortimer, who unanimously choose “Oranges” by Annette Rennie as the Best in Show, describing it as “a superb example of the traditions of still life. A lovely composition, design and painting technique. A composition reminiscent of the Scottish colourists”.

Prizewinners are: 

• David Hatton Prize for Best Watercolour, Maria Pfohl for “All Time Adored”
• Peg Minty Prize for Landscape and also Best Oil, Mark Redzic for “Molonglo River”
• Best Abstract, Julie Lark for “Sunset Reflections”
• Best Portrait or Figure, Judi Power Thomson for “The Rehearsal”
• Best Flora, Fauna or Still Life, JoAnne Pulko for “On the Balcony”
• Best Pastel, Caroline Reid for “Gibraltar Falls”
• Best Acrylics, Ian Sharpe for “Patch by the Queanbeyan River”
• Best Drawing, Tim Hardy for “Artist in the Studio”
• Best Printmaking, Fenja Theden-Ringl for “Spotted Pardalottes in Clematis”
• Best Mixed Media, Sue Cook for “From the Garden”
• Best Miniatures, Victoria Collins for “Above the Falls, Fitzroy Falls 3.”

The ASOC 2020 Spring Exhibition, Fitters’ Workshop, Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, until November 22. Free entry.