DAPHNE, Ala. — More than 200 people attended Bay Rivers Art Guild's 10th Annual Juried Art Show Saturday, Jan. 12, when the organization feted 14 artists who split $2,500 in prize money.

“It was the best annual juried art show we’ve ever had on all levels,” Valley O’Neal, BRAG president, said. “It was so crowded, there were even people waiting outside.”

Benita McNider’s oil painting “Nude Study” took home Best of Show — along with a prize award to the tune of $1,000.

“The Best of Show was honest, not gimmicky … pure, unadulterated, good painting,” judge Nina Fritz said. “The anatomy and the use of color was excellent.”

The painting, Fritz said, had the “wow factor.” Fritz considered execution, craftsmanship and drawing ability, but in the end she just kept coming back to McNider’s piece, she said.

“This was a spectacular show — I want to thank all the artists that participated,” O’Neal said.

Complete list of winners:

Best of Show; $1,000: Benita McNider’s “Nude Study”

The Roberts Sisters’ Memorial Award; $500: Mary Francis Holcomb's “Blakeley & Critter”

The BRAG Founder’s Award; $500: Colette Waite’s “Italy” 

Merit Awards; $100:

John Ball: “Pointing the Way”

John Ball: “Line In The Sand”

Joyce Bowers: “Church In The Sand”

Jill Berry: “Why Live On The Coast? Answered?”

Dixie Fortis: “Persimmons”

Honorable Mentions:

Williams Thompson: “A Slight Lean”

Louise Waters: “Full Or Empty”

Marie  Nickerson: “Dance Of The Flowers”

Benita H. McNider: “Still Life With Persimmons”

Joyce Bowers: “Mother & Son”

The People's Choice Award: Joyce Bowers “Mother & Son”