The Lompoc Valley Arts Council presented awards to winners of the 21st Annual “Best of the Best” Santa Barbara County-wide art exhibit at a reception Nov. 7 in the Grossman Gallery of the Lompoc Public Library.

Because of less display space in the gallery this year, participation was limited to arts organization members, with no independent or “unaffiliated” entries.

Most organizations responded with their “best” works, either winners in other shows, or if a specialized group, the highest examples of what that group represents.

As curator Brenda French remarked, “With such a variety of media and overall excellence and strength, it’s difficult to showcase each work to its best advantage. Also, placing disparate works so that they complement and not fight each other, takes time and thought.”

Judges Bill Shinn and Gerry Stinn commented on the excellence of technique and variety of media, and so looked for “qualities of discovery and creativity” to make their selections. Their remarks are posted in the gallery for the duration of the show (through Nov. 30).

“Building a Better Community through the Arts” (LVAC’s intent), the 2009 award sponsors provided the means to present prizes that attract high-quality artists, and also the ability to showcase students who demonstrate the excellence of, in this case, the instrumental music department of Cabrillo High School’s “Fantastic Four String Quartet,” which performed during the reception.

Prizes awarded were: first place of $500 to Pamela Zwehl-Burke of Santa Barbara Printmakers for a four-plate solar intaglio: “Found Objects: Pages 4, 5, 6;” second place of $300 to Carolyn Hubbs of S. B. Printmakers for a solar etching from graphite drawings: “Life Class IIP;” third place of $150 to Joan Jones of the Artists Guild of the Santa Ynez Valley for a pastel: “Wanda Reclining.”

Honorable mention prizes of $25 each went to Judith Grames-Lyra, Lompoc Valley Art Association, for a watercolor, “Garden Angels;”  Danette Kay Kalb, Lompoc Photographers Guild, for the photograph “Raising the Bar;” Glee Morse, Goleta Valley Art Association, for the oil on linen board “Nightlife.”

The People’s Pick award of $100, chosen by attendees at the afternoon reception, was Linda Gooch, Lompoc Valley Art Association, for her acrylic on canvas, “Arroyo Hondo Oak.”