Waihi artist Val Tubman has become the supreme winner of this year's ART Waikino Competition with her painting titled 'Flowers and Pears”.

Val, who is a well known and respected artist in the Waihi region, won both the Supreme Award and took first place in the best painting category of the competition.

The supreme winner, Val Tubman with her painting titled 'Flowers and Pears.”

'This artist has been painting for a long time and has great technique and balance in her painting. I find this painting drawing me in,” says judge Jacqui Douglas, from Australia.

Val has been painting for 40 years and has won many awards for her work during the years.

Waihi artist Loesje de Bree won the craft section with her marionettes with faces made from papier mache, dressed in bright fabric.

Judy Haszard's photo of a young child took the eye of the photography judge Kim Westerskov, winning her the top prize in the photography category.

'It has a simple composition and lovely soft pensive moment with soft colours.”

The photograph entitled 'Ancient Drums” was the winner of the 'other” photography section, won by Helen Wilson.

'This one jumps out as you enter the room. It has a wonderful warm, rich background with appealing colours,” says Kim.

There was a steady stream of people admiring the artwork throughout the weekend with lots of comments on the high standard of work and how well it was displayed.

The exhibition is organised by the Victoria Hall Committee to raise funds for the management of the community hall.

It is on every Labour Weekend and has now become the biggest art exhibition in the Hauraki District.