The exhibition, hosted at the Crookwell Art Gallery over the weekend, attracted more than 200 visitors.

Ms Mobayed has worked with significant Australian artists at the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Arts, Artbank and Firstdraft in Woolloomooloo. 

She officiated at the opening night on Friday, which about 60 people attended.

The exhibition had 63 entries by artists from across the state.

“Coming to the region, I am not negotiating in my expectations of quality,” Ms Mobayed said in appraising the standard.

She offered the artists her deepest congratulations. “You are up there with the best of them,” she said.

Judged by Ms Mobayed was the ‘In a Country Garden’ prize, which was awarded to Lorena Caron for her oil and crayon work, View from Casa della Pace.

“There is such a beautiful looseness to it and the artist is leaving what you see open to interpretation,” Ms Mobayed said.

The People’s Choice prize was awarded to Catherine Lidden for her work, Reclining Nude, in pastels.

Ms Lidden was also awarded the Unpackers’ Prize for No Turning Back, also a pastel work.

Ms Lidden, from Fullerton, continued her successful weekend and sold both paintings. 

Committee member Ann Goodman said more than 17 per cent of the exhibition had sold. “That could be our largest,” she said.