Purchase Prize Show Judge Carole Andreen Harris with Timithy Gordon's Best of Show winning entry, an acrylic painting titled
"Early Morning From the South Rim."The 2016 Purchase Prize Award Exhibit reception drew a large opening-night crowd to check out the winning entries from across the state. There were many comments from attending artists as well as the show judge, Carole Andreen Harris, in appreciation of the high quality of the art that was entered in this year's show. Some even said the "best ever!" The coveted "Best of Show" award went to Timithy Gordon of Aztec for his acrylic painting "Early Morning From the South Rim." He was also given the Award of Excellence for his acrylic painting of "Three Horsepower."

The other winning entries, by category, are as follows:

In Oil Paintings - First Place, Shari Chandler for "Misty Cedars;" Second Place, Gay Marks, "Waiting;" Third Place, Jane Seavers, "Alone;" Honorable Mention, Shari Chandler, "Waking Datura" and "A Moment of Solitude;" Priscilla Baldwin, "A Reverie of Roses;" Carolyn Paez, "Boston Hill Beauty;" Gay Scheibl, "Lakota."

In Acrylic Paintings - First Place, Ann Taylor,"Southwestern Flavor;" Second Place, Linda Warren Anderson, "Down the Draw;" Third Place, Timithy Gordon, "Elk at Beaver Lake;" Honorable Mention, Linda Warren Anderson, "Horses for Hire;" Arlene Sarkela, "Sunlit Stream."

In Watercolor Paintings - First Place, Penny Simpson, "Waking with the Sun;" Second Place, Karyn Neil, " Abiquiu Sunset;" Third Place, Rita Sherwood, "Still Life 101."

In Pastel Paintings - First Place, Christopher Garcia, "Enchantment of the Abstractual Gaze;" Second Place, Gay Scheibl, "Stone on Tonto Creek;" Third Place, Camille Painter-Davis, "Border Days;" Honorable Mention Camille Painter-Davis, "At the Dunes."

This exceptional annual show will be open for public viewing at the Grant County Art Guild's Pinos Altos Art Gallery, 14 Golden Avenue in Pinos Altos, from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. on Sept 23-24 and 25, September 30 and October 1-2. Buyers and browsers always welcome. The historic Hearst Church that houses the gallery is also a treat for history buffs. There is never an entry fee.