One of Alexandra Blossom Festival’s first official events for 2024 kicked off on Wednesday night, with the annual Central Otago Art Society (COAS) exhibition.

This year’s exhibition at Central Stories Art Gallery and Museum also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the society, and a special ‘Milestones’ category was included in the awards.

The exhibition attracted 140 paintings from 50 different artists - both locally and from around the South Island.

The Central Otago Art Society celebrated 50 years with a special cake at the art exhibition opening night on Wednesday.

COAS trustee Judy Campbell said the first blossom festival art exhibition was held in 1963, at the old Alexandra swimming pool, and Denis Kent was one of the founding members.

Now in his 80s, Denis was present at the awards and given a special mention, having entered every competition since the beginning, and picking up the Premier Award in 2011.

COAS patron and founding member Denis Kent (right) and Clyde artist Maxine Williams share some memories.

This year guest judge and renowned artist Nicola Bennett chose the winning pieces and spoke about her love of blossoms, having only just experienced her first spring in the town, after moving from Rotorua with her husband in January.

An abstract artist who exhibits regularly from her gallery in Auckland, Nicola has been selling work internationally for the past eight years and was inspired by food and flavours, and the feelings they invoke.

She said the art works she chose for the winning prizes in the exhibition were not necessarily the best works, “but they just spoke to me". 

"Art is hugely subjective,” she said.

COAS trustee Dorothy Piper, of Roxburgh, was given the Premier Award for her magpie painting that was accompanied by a famous Denis Glover poem.

Nicola described the three art works that Dorothy entered as “technically brilliant,” realist paintings that featured strong narratives.

“I could’ve given the award to either of those works,” she said.

Dorothy also won a Merit Award in 2019 and the Premier Award in 2020, and has been painting, mostly with water colours since she was a teenager.

Sarah Freiburger, of Dunedin, was runner-up and the Elizabeth Stevens Memorial Award was given to Sue Stewart, of Alexandra.

Kim Bungard, of Invercargill, won the special Milestones category, and two Highly Commended awards were given to local artists Fiona Hughes and Debbie Malcolm.

The exhibition will be on at Central Stories Art Gallery and Museum daily until Friday October 4, concluding with the People’s Choice Award that night.

Click on the 2024 Blossom Festival Art Exhibition listing on The Central App for more information.

PHOTOS: The Central App