ARIA-award winning world music artist Joseph Tawadros had the opening night crowd at Winmalee Artfest last Friday in the palm of his hand.
Talented Winmalee High School students dazzled with their voices and guitars inside their school's hall while student served tasty treats.
Special guests included Archibald finalist Mathew Lynn, Doug Moran winner Lesley Rice and industrial-inspired artist Jane Bennett, acclaimed Indigenous artist Leanne Tobin and renowned feature artist Susan Gasser.
But the main drawcard, as ever, was the impressive range of artworks on display for the three-day show that has become the biggest annual visual arts event in the Lower Mountains.
It also serves as the major fundraiser for its host, Winmalee High School.
In all there were more than 350 artworks exhibited by 180 artists competing for a total prize pool of $3500.
MC Ron Fuller said Artfest raised $22,000 for the school last year to support students' learning needs and that figure was on track to be beaten this year, with the introduction of the Artfest Angels sponsorship campaign and from artwork sales, including many works artists donated.
Major prize winners on the night were: Daniel McClellan (landscape category); Nazanin Marashian (genre); Shirley Steel (photography and digital); Ann Maree Ager (design and craftsmanship); Tate Harrington (emerging artist); Dianne Ussher (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander); and Mark Surtees (overall winner).