Katherine Claypole's, The Thief stole the 2011 Whanganui Arts Review Open Award on Friday night before an audience of more than 500 people.
Ms Claypole's graphite on paper drawing was in a show of "extraordinarily high quality," said Sargeant Gallery senior curator Greg Anderson.
Tauranga Art Gallery director Penny Jackson judged theawards and said she was "very impressed with the quality and variety of work selected for the exhibition".
Principal sponsor Bryce Smith said it was gratifying to see the fantastic work selected for this year's Arts Review.
"A wide variety of media is represented and we continue to be able to show quality art work from our region."
Mr Smith hoped the public took time to contemplate not only the art but also the artists who were especially affected by the economic downturn.
"We must do everything we can to support them so they can continue to enrich our lives and make our community a great place to live."
The Arts Review winners:
2011 Carey Smith & Co Ltd Open Award: $1000. Katherine Claypole: The Thief, graphite on paper
2011 Carey Smith & Co Ltd Student Award: $500. Bonnie Wroe - to lose one's soul, coloured pencil
2011 Carey Smith & Co Ltd Highly Commended Award: $250. Andre Bronnimann - Raukura, acrylic on board
2011 Carey Smith & Co Ltd Highly Commended Award: $250. Angela Tier - Death Blooms, digital photograph
2011 Carey Smith & Co Ltd Highly Commended Award: $250. Kirk Nicholls - River City Santa Parade, mixed media
Rivercity Picture Framers Ltd Merit Award: Andrea du Chatenier - Lady from Atlantis (deep tan), polystyrene and shell.
Caffeinator Merit Award: Stacey Hildreth - Systematic Colonisation.
Central City Pharmacy Merit Award: Jo Conroy - Anything you can do ... , glass.
Ceramic Lounge Merit Award: Cheleigh-Anne Dunkerton - Gypsies, mixed media.
The Flying Fox Merit Award: Keith Grinter - Procession (painting).
Members of the Sarjeant Merit Award: David Traub - Still life #8, Out-Pouring, glass.
Mainstreet Art & Framing Merit Award: Sarah William - He tells her every day but it never gets old, ink and gouache drawing.
Sarjeant Gallery Secondary School Student Merit Award: Sarah Stitchbury - Rural Landscape, drypoint etching.
