Local creatives impress judges

The Arrowtown Photography Competition, part of the Arrowtown Autumn Festival, awarded first place to Hazel Alviola for her black-and-white image 'Needhams Cottage'. Alviola, who only began photography last year, expressed disbelief at her win. Judges Todd Weeks and Leigh Jeffery also introduced a 'highly commended' award for Martin Barwood's wildlife photo 'White Faced Heron'. In the concurrent Bayleys Arrowtown Autumn Fest Art Exhibition, Jane Burdon won the $3,500 premier painting award, while Jade Barclay took the $750 best local painting award. Other winners included Lynne Fellows, Lynn Brochere Millar, Olivia Pickney, and Diana Turnbull Anderson, with merit awards given to Angus Milne, Jenny Hill, Tracey Morrow, and Jos Browning.