A work praised by Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor Kenrick Winchester for its “quality of light” has won the $5000 QPRC Acquisitive Art Awards, it was announced on Wednesday night, at The Q.

The winning acrylic painting, “Bush Track – Bottom Pond” is by Lesley Sykes, who was on hand to receive her certificate and prize from Winchester. The work now go into the council’s permanent art collection.

The packed-out evening of mixed hilarity and local celebration was introduced by first nations elder Matilda House and is jointly support by the council and Bendigo Bank.

First up, after House had enunciated the superior cultural virtues of Queanbeyan over a nearby city, were the announcements of two awards specifically funded by Bendigo Bank.

Nicholas Fry, representing the Bungendore and Braidwood branches of the bank, which has been on board as sponsor since 2021, announced the awards, which had been judged by staff from the bank.

A highly commended went to Angela Harris for her wood and paper work, “Spring Has Sprung”, while the winning work was a photographic print, “Morning Retreats”, by Jerusha McDowell.

Susan Brindle, president of the Southern Tableland Arts Board and along with Sally Adair and Jenni Gordon a member of the council’s judging panel, followed with the formal QPRC announcement.

In the First Nations category, the $500 highly commended award went to Gail Neuss for her acrylic and  charcoal work, “Through my eyes – Kunama to Coast”, while the $2000 winner in this category was “Mute”, an acrylic work on canvas by Lea Palij.

The $2000 Emerging Artist Award winner was Mahala Hill for the glass, bone china, clay and glaze work “Plastic Disease II”.

In the rather unusual 3-D award, the $500 highly commended went to Merran Toone for “Riva”, created using the medium of corrugated cardboard.

The $3000 first prize for three-dimensional art went to “Gorge Yourself,” a ceramic work by Lea Durie.

The formalities concluded when Mayor Winchester announced Sykes as winner.

The 2023 QPRC and Bendigo Bank Art Awards Exhibition, at The Q exhibition space, Queanbeyan until June 10.