Fifty-one paintings of the Watauga Valley Art League were judged by Tom Root who owns Root Studio School of Painting and Drawing in Johnson City, at the Summer Show at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton.

The winners are:

Best in Show — “The Birdwatcher” by Gary Chambers, Elizabethton; second place — “Beauty and Light” by Turena Austin, Elizabethton; third place — “Summertime” by Jo Ann Bucher, Gray; memorial award — Faded Glory Fawn by John Charles, Kingsport

The Awards of Excellence went to “Sandhill Crane” by Martha Erwin, Erwin; “Heavy Metal” by Jim Stagner, Johnson City; “Brittany” by Wayne Ritchie, Elizabethton; and “Touch of Spring” by Diane Allen, Butler.

The honorable mentions are “Double Poppy” by Sheryl Daniels, Johnson City; “Remember” by Eunice Deel, Johnson City; “Moonlight Bisk” by Marianne Alderman, Jonesborough; and “Papaw’s Pride and Joy” by Karen Foote, Johnson City.

Judge’s Notables go to “Fall Shadows” by Diane Allen, Butler, and “Sarah” by Jo Ann Bucher, Gray.

Peoples’ Choice awards are: “Isle of Capri” by Art Holsclaw, Elizabethton; “Best Friends” by June Simmons, Telford; and “Heavy Metal” by Jim Stagner, Johnson City.

For more information about the art league, call Patsy Kelley Reading at 743-7799 or visit the league website at www.wataugavalley-artists.com .