Almost 250 works were entered into this year’s show, which runs until Saturday.

The Weston Art Show was first held in 1964 and ran for 50 consecutive years, taking a hiatus in 2014 before its successful return last year.

The 2016 edition was opened by Archdeacon of Maitland, Fr David Battrick on Tuesday night.

Fr Battrick praised the art show organisers for providing an opportunity to celebrate the creative people of the region.

“Art is the one thing that speaks to everyone, it is universal,” he said.

“I’m always inspired by the creativity and ingenuity of our artistic brothers and sisters.”

The art show is a joint collaboration of the Anglican Parish of Mount Vincent and Weston and Towns With Heart.

Art show secretary Pam Menzies said the committee was pleased with the quality and diversity of works on show this year.

Coal Point artist Susan Ryman’s work Devolution won the major prize of $2500, sponsored by Cessnock City Council.

Dr Ryman, who has a PhD in Natural History Illustration, has been an exhibiting artist for many years and has works in the Maitland Regional Art Gallery collection.

But she was a first-time entrant into the Weston Art Show, and was absolutely thrilled to win the major prize.

“I’m amazed by the level of skill and diversity on show; I feel really privileged, it’s just lovely,” she said.

Dr Ryman was excited to buy a piece from Lovedale artist Michele Heibel, who took out the Regional Art Prize section for the second year running.

The Scenes from Weston category was won by Toronto resident Hugh Cross, who is the president of the Society of Artists Newcastle.

Mr Cross’s winning piece was a watercolour depiction of the Weston Masonic Centre. He said he was drawn to the iconic building, located just down the street from the civic centre, when visiting a previous Weston Art Show.

The 2016 Weston Art Show will be open 10am to 6pm from Wednesday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

Entry is $5 for adults; children are free.

Major Prize

Devolution by Susan Ryman

Regional Art Prize

Winner, The Overwhelming Minority by Michele Heibel; highly commended, My View of Cessnock by Katrina Rose

Contemporary

Winner, Escape by Ileana Clarke; highly commended, Autumn into Winter by Julie Hosking

Watercolour

Winner, Line and Love by Ros Elkin; highly commended, Yarra Valley by Gerhard Ullmann

Traditional

Winner, Sentinels of History by Joan Crouch; highly commended, Rhapsody in Blue by Kay Sparkes, Water Toys by Bob Saxon

Pencil, Pen or Ink on Paper

Winner, Free as a Bird by Gaye Shield; highly commended, Tree Life by Ileana Clarke, Natives, Vase and Bottles by Verona Lucas

Indigenous 

Winner, Wattle by Lesley Salem; highly commended, Konara-Clan by Saretta Fielding

Still Life

Winner, Vase Refractions by Judith Hill; highly commended, At Dorothy’s Window by Helen Doherty

Scenes From Weston

Winner, Weston Masonic Centre by Hugh Cross; highly commended, Weston Centre by Jenny Dimmock

Miniature

Winner, Cappuccino Time by Janelle Goldman; highly commended, #technicallytogether by Michele Heibel

Religious/Spiritual

Winner, Madonna and Child by Jule Pokinghorn; highly commended, Look to the Light, by Verona Lucas

Flowers

Winner, Japanese Anenome by Joanne Conder; highly commended, Roses by Marlene Disney

Junior Youth (8-11 years)

Winner, Sandy Pillars by Ryan Lewis; rising talent, Through My Eyes by Ryan Lewis; encouragement, Victorian Highlands by Keeley Smith

Youth (12-15 years)

Winner, Lemon and Lime by Abby Ussher; rising talent, Still Life by Sophia Bacon; encouragement, Tree Frog by Matilda Brown

Senior Youth (16-18 years)

Winner, Bluebird by Chloe Wilson; rising talent, Majestic by Taylor Finnegan; encouragement, Fruit in a Basket by Taylor Finnegan