Close to 200 works of art created by amateur artists from aroundBrookhaven will be on public display in the Lincoln County PublicLibrary Thursday for a reception honoring the participants in thefirst Lincoln County Art Competition.

The reception will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and an awardceremony for the 78 local artists and their 178 pieces of art willbegin at 5 p.m. Food will be served at the reception.

Competition chairwoman Christine Fore said the event, which hasalready been planned for next year, was far more successful thanplanners expected. Participants were many, and 17 local businessessponsored the event.

“We were hoping against hope that we would get 100 entries,” shesaid. “We got 178. It also means we have the seed money for nextyear. We intend to keep this going, and we’ve booked the libraryfor next year.”

Fore said the entry process lasted four hours. Instead of atrickle of artists and their works coming into the librarythroughout that period, she said artists began lining up at thedoor before the process began.

Mississippi School of the Arts students made a healthycontribution to the competition with three-dimensional art, shesaid.

“It says to me (the arts) need more support,” Fore said. “When Ifirst moved here six years ago, I had in the back of my mind thatthis town, if it wants to be a retirement community or aHomeseekers Paradise, needs to nurture its artists. One of thethings people do when they retire is turn to things like art.”

Bruce O’Hara, an art professor at Tougaloo College, judged thecompetition.

In the oil/acrylic category, Diane Burris claimed first placewith “Fifties Family.”

In the watermedia category, Missy Wilson claimed first placewith “Imagination.”

In the pastels/drawings category, Donna Arbelle claimed firstplace with “Still Life With Fruit.”

In the photography category, Kay Calcote claimed first placewith “Study in Blue.”

In the 3D/mixed media category, Daniel Calcote claimed firstplace with “Yellow T and Cup.”

Roberto Bonilla was awarded Best of Show with his photograph,”Passage #6.”

The 17 participating businesses also chose their favorite piecesfor merit awards. Chosen were:

* Ava Jane Newell, best portrait, “Our Friend Maxine.”

* Rhonda Rich, best abstract design, “Over Tones.”

* Sheila Stewart, local scene, “Old Bridge, Brookhaven.”

* Marguerite Smith, wildlife/outdoor scene, “Winter’sBounty.”

* Beverley Dick, use of perspective, “Afternoon in Venice.”

* Gwin Robertson, best still life with food, “Little BrownJug.”

* Janet Campbell Smith, best pottery/ceramics, “Amphora I.”

* Wilfred Dick, best sculpture, “Cotton Picker.”

* Thomas Morgan, best photo in black and white, “PatioShadows.”

* Rosemary Leggett, best landscape, “Splash of Spring.”

* Debbie T. Whittington, best seascape/waterscape, “Sunset onthe Atchafalaya.”

* Christine Fore, best figure painting, “Pas De Deux.”

* Mickey Moak, best still life with flowers, “CallaLillies.”

* Tammy Forman, best use of color, “Red Passion.”

* Bettie Bullard, best photo in color, “Secret Basilica.”

* Missy Wilson, best overall presentation, “Imagination.”

* Gwin Robertson, best dramatic action, “The Winner.”