The judging is over, and it’s clear the Selma Art Guild’s annual Summer Juried Art Show was another blue ribbon success.

The judge of this year’s event, Atlanta-based artist Lala Streett, said she was impressed by the range of creations and skill levels on display during the contest.

“The show itself represented a large variety of abilities and creative levels, which I found to be a wonderful challenge,” Streett said. “The work ranged from entry level to professional, and it represented a large variety of subject matter and media. I absolutely loved the variety of work in the show. For a small town, this event showcased a great variety of talent.”

Art Guild executive director Jo Pate said the purpose of the show is to showcase the variety of art forms and skill levels.

“That’s what you want, because there are so many people who have never entered a show and they think their work isn’t professional enough to do so,” Pate said.

This year’s show included 83 submitted pieces by 32 artists from across the state. While this year’s show featured fewer pieces than last year’s total of 99, Pate said the works submitted by new artists ensured it was a successful event.

“Even though we had a few more entries last year, we had nine new artists this year,” Pate said. “Several of our regular artists did not enter the contest this year, and that actually worked out because it gave other people opportunities.”

Awards were handed out for the top three judged pieces in six different artistic categories: works on paper, mixed media, 3-dimensional, photography, transparent and opaque.

The award for Best of Show was given to Karen Thornhill, for a still-life image titled “Simple Living”.

“The reason I chose that photograph as Best of Show was the composition, color, and the feeling emoted from the image,” Streett said. “I could not stop looking at it as I was judging all of the pieces.”

All of the 83 submissions will remain on display at the Selma Art Guild’s gallery, 508 Selma Ave. through the end of the month. The gallery will be open to the public from noon until 4 p.m. on June 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28.

Pate said she is hopeful member of the Selma community will take time to look over the artworks on display at the gallery.

“It’s important for the people living around here to see the type of artists we have living in Selma,” Pate said. “People just don’t realize all the varieties of art there are and that we want to showcase at the guild.”