Photo - Brian Freeman, judge of the Grant County Art Guild's 2015 Purchase Prize Award Exhibit, talks about Kate Robertson's winning oil painting titled "Where's Our Kitty?"

The top honors at the Grant County Art Guild's 2015 30th Annual Purchase Prize Award Exhibit went to Best of Show winner Kate Robertson for her charming oil painting titled "Where's Our Kitty?" Arlene Sarkela, a long-time Guild member, was given the special "Award of Excellence" for her acrylic painting titled "Big Bend".

Other winning ribbons went to the following entries:

Oils: First Place, Kate Robertson, €œFreedom"; Second Place, Diane Cornelius, "Gila River Sunset"; Third Place, Fidel Hinojosa, "Autumn Has Arrived." Honorable Mentions went to Norrie Toole, "Fire Bison"; Camille Davis, "Coldwater Stream"; Kate Robertson, "My Friend Zack"; Patricia Crawford,"French Lady"; Patricia Crawford, €œWaiting"; and Connie Thibeau, "Old Road."

Acrylics: First Place, Susan Ley, "Starkweather Canyon"; Second Place, Eric Sarkela, "Artist Point Monument Valley"; Third Place, Carolyn Paez, "Nelson Reservoir Beauty"; Honorable Mentions - Eric Sarkela, "Shovel and Truck"; Susan Ley, "Early Morning Deer -Tularosa Creek"; Richard Knadle, "Roswell's Own 'Mine That Bird'"; Richard Knadle, "Laguna Pueblo, N.M., Eagle Dancers."

Watercolors: First Place, Rita Sherwood, "Fruits and Flowers #2"; Second Place, Elizabeth Humiston, "Salt Spring Isle, A Painter's Paradise"; Third Place, Elizabeth Humiston, "Taos Pueblo, A Living Entity."

Pastels: First Place, Camille Davis, "Skewbald Colt and Dam"; Honorable Mention, Rita Sherwood, "Saturday Market"; Barbara Smith, "Ravens of New Mexico."

This showing of exceptional art by New Mexico artists will be available for viewing at the Guild's Pinos Altos Art Gallery, located at 14 Golden Avenue in the historic Hearst Church, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 4. The judge of the show, Brian Freeman, commented that the Guild is really fortunate to have the church as their venue. There is still time to check out this unique gallery and see the big show of the season.