Friday’s opening night was a great success with a crowd of more than 150, including representatives from many of the major sponsors taking the first opportunity to view the excellent works on display at this year’s show.

Cootamundra Soroptimist member Judy Braybrooks said organisers were pleased with the entire weekend,

“It was a very successful weekend, the standard of paintings was very high,” Mrs Braybrooks said.

A number of new sponsors supported the event this year, including Country Energy, GM Scott and the Coota Beach Volleyball Association.

Mrs Braybrooks said she was thrilled by the announcement by Country Energy general manager Chas McPhail that his company will continue to support the art show.

Mr McPhail was a special guest at Friday night’s official opening.

Country Energy supported the pastel section with $1500 prize money on offer.

The section was won by local artist Karen Walsh, who also placed third in the rural subject section.

Mrs Braybrooks said the ongoing support of Cootamundra Shire Council and The Hills Shire Council, which is the sister city of Cootamundra, is greatly appreciated.

Current councillor and immediate past mayor of The Hills Larry Bolitho and his wife Glenda were on hand representing their shire.

Two new sections were introduced to the show this year, including the sporting subject award donated by the Coota Beach Volleyball Association and the rural subject award sponsored by GM Scott.

Mrs Braybrooks said both of these sections were very well supported, with artists in the sporting subject division coming up with some wonderful works.

Thirty paintings were sold across the duration of the weekend.

Also announced at Friday night’s opening was the commencement of the Canvas for CanAssist program, which will see a number of locals from different professions and local services turn their hand to artwork, creating a canvas which will be auctioned for CanAssist.

Look to Friday’s edition of the Cootamundra Herald for more details about the Canvas for CanAssist initiative.

More photos from Friday night’s official opening appear on page seven of today’s edition.