Tim Winters of Stuart Town judged the taste Canowindra award for the most outstanding work on this year's theme "My Space, My Place".

The winner of this year's cash prize of $750 was announced at 8pm.

Many of the regions noted artists have exhibited including Ken Hutchinson, Christine Lanham, David Gough, Natalie Reid, Nyree Reynolds and Mary Douglas.

Local emerging artist Melissa Lazarou won the award for a landscape painted on Woodstock road.

In reflecting on the award Bob Craven said "I first became aware of Melissa's interest in painting at a Daroo award night three year's ago and encouraged her to engage with the local art community and consider an exhibition.

Melissa's first exhibition with Marg Fynan at The Old Vic Inn was a huge success with over a hundred attending the opening.

This year she was accepted for The Country Energy Landscape Exhibition - an enormous honour and to win the taste Canowindra award in such esteemed company is another great achievement."

Voting still continues in the people's choice awards in three categories, two dimensional work, three dimensional pieces for internal display, and sculpture for external display.

Everyone is encouraged to visit the exhibition and vote, voting closes November 30th.

Over $800 was raised for The Canowindra Preschool in an auction of unique wine and tickets to taste Canowindra events in 2008.

Bob & Marg Craven would like to thank the following: James Andrews for organising items for the auction and for contributing items: Swinging Bridge Estate, Falls Wines, Hamilton Bluff, Gardners Ground, Toms Waterhole, Wallington Wines & Rosnay Organic Wines.