Margaret Harding won the President’s Trophy for the most outstanding painting, the Lynley Bashford Trophy for the best local artist, the Mia Davies Trophy for the most points scored overall in the arts section and the Tricia Walters Trophy for the best senior artist over 55.
The show was one of the first Harding has entered and she now plans to try her hand at other shows in the region.
She said she had enjoyed painting all her life but only became serious about it after she retired to York six years ago.
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READ NOW‘I had to earn a living and raise three kids, and that came first,’ she said.
‘I realise now, how much joy I get out of painting and that I should have found a way to fit it into my life earlier. It was great to win the awards but I’m just happy that people enjoyed my paintings,’ she said.
Harding does silk, acrylic and fabric painting as well as sculptural 3D painting using plaster. ‘I love experimenting with different techniques and products,’ she said.
‘A lot of people move to the Avon Valley and explore their passions, including art, because there is a more relaxed lifestyle here.’
The artist also took out two first prizes in the poultry section and first prize for her pumpkin.