The winners for the sixth inaugural art award were announced at The Q on Tuesday, July 30.

Queanbeyan-born ceramic artist and judge Anita McIntyre said it was difficult to pick one winner from the 35 entries received.

“[Faces by Boyd-Goggin] stood out to me as very different from many of the others, the drawing skill was obvious,” she said.

“The juxtaposition of all the different faces resonated with me in terms of the multicultural nature of the city and the life we live.”

This year the awards had the theme “Aspects of Queanbeyan Heritage” and included two new categories.

The first, Indigenous Artist, went to Arnold J Williams for his painting Papunya, Home of the Honey Ants and second, Young Artist, went to Lauren Wakley for her digital painting Sun Tribute.

“I was taken with [Williams’ piece] because of the technique. It’s beautifully rendered, very traditional dot technique with a repetitive pattern and beautifully executed,” Mrs McIntyre said.

Mel George received the Commendation Award for her glass piece Henderson Road and Amanda Edwards received the Highly Commended Award for her drawing Twilight on the Rotunda.

“The glass piece is not shown to its best advantage, you really need light behind it. It’s very subtle and very reflective. The geometric shapes give you the image and your mind fills in the rest of the image,” she said.

“Amanda’s rotunda is lovely example of print form as well.”

Community members are being encouraged to vote for the final award, the People’s Choice Award. They can view all the entries at The Q Exhibition Space and cast their vote until Saturday, August 24.

These photos are available for purchase from the Queanbeyan Age office at 108 Monaro Street or please call 6297 3033.