Examples of landscapes, seascapes, portraiture, sculpture, textiles and photography were all included in a recent art competition, held in Laxey.

The results of the ’Under’ open art competition, held at the Hodgson Loom Gallery at the Laxey Woollen Mills, were announced on Saturday afternoon, with many paintings and creations made around a marine theme being given the top prizes.

With first and runners-up prizes available for several categories, including 2D image, mixed media, 3D sculpture, photography, textiles and children and teenagers, Niamh Kelly was awarded the prize for the overall winnerfor her impressive, atmospheric painting ’Towards the Light’.

Helen Winter was voted as joint overall runner-up for her fishy textile creation ’The World Down Under’, which she shared with Neil Milsom with his slate and lead sculpture, entitled ’Under the Weight of the World’.

Both artists won their respective categories.

Also on offer was the award for best entry chosen by the public, which was won by Ronnie Doyle for his watercolour of a snowbound farm in Cornaa, with Janet Wignall’s pencil sketch of her friend Barbara Cain, under the title ’Under 80 (just!)’ in second place.

Kate Summerville came first in the 2D award with a painting of a shoal of fish, entitled ’Swell’, with Martin Vaughan’s striking image of a half-submerged dog, titled ’Ozwald, Down Under’, coming second.

Colette Davies won the 3D category with her piece called ’The Deep’ and the winner of the photographic competition was Greg Barlow, with his picture ’The Weeping Willow Tree’.

Alexandra Grace Yeardsley’s ceramic sculpture ’Underweight’ won the top prize for the 13-to-18 age group, with Robert Betteridge winning the under-12 prize with ’Douglas Lighthouse, Under the Night Sky.

Gallery curator Julia Ashby Smyth said that the judges and public had a difficult choice to decide the winners.

’With such a breadth of styles, mediums and craftsmanship to choose from it is a daunting task, some categories being decided by a single point, including the overall winner, it was that close,’ said Julia.

’Every year new names appear throughout the categories alongside many of the island’s most talented artists. Some bringing new techniques, or reinvigorating traditional skills and showcase unique styles.

’This highlights the incredibly high standard and depth of creativity on our island.’

Julia also announced that the stimulus for next year’s open art competition was ’Eye’, with entries to be handed in on the first week of December, 2020.