VALDOSTA — The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts exhibited a masterpiece Monday evening with the 32nd Annual Spring Into Art opening gala.

Crowds flooded the center as soon as doors opened welcoming community members to diverse pieces of artwork.

Nearly 400 submissions from more than 200 artists were entered in the yearly competition, according to organizers.

Nashville resident Mary VanLandingham secured the best in show award for her oil painting, “The Last Day.”

The painting is reminiscent of a southern Ireland town VanLandingham visited while abroad for the first time.

“It had the most beautiful little cafes and pubs and I took this picture that I used to reference for ‘The Last Day,'” she said, “and I just fell in love with the colors in front of it, and I had to paint it.”

She has participated in Spring Into Art for three years but this marked the first time she won best in show.

“Tonight, I’m really grateful and really excited,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting this at all, and I’m just thrilled.”

In the painting category, Earle McKey of Valdosta won first place, Steven S. Walker of Hahira won second place and Suzanna Winton of Thomasville won third place.

In the drawing/printmaking/mixed media category, Anda Chance of McAlpin, Fla., won first place, Travis D. Simmons of Valdosta won second place and Sean Hurley won third place.

First place in the digital arts/photography category went to Tim Teasley of Valdosta, while second place went to L. Stephanie Smith of Quitman. Hahira resident Evelyn L. Mercer won third place.

Julie Barnes Smith of Valdosta won first place in the sculpture/ceramics/jewelry/crafts category. Don Penny of Hahira took home second place, and Patsy Buccy of Valdosta won third.

Honorable mentions were Dee Aurandt of Athens; Harvie Ann Cox of Moultrie; Christine Flanagan of Live Oak, Fla.; Zach O’Brien of Adel; Annette Crosby, Kristy Hughes, Tom Phillips, Sally Turner Querin, Dave Richards and Maggie Scruggs, all of Valdosta.

Like VanLandingham, there were other submissions inspired by personal stories or experiences such as drawing “Girl in the Window” by Marlene Martin.

Martin’s work was introduced to the Spring Into Art crowd for the first time by her sister, Sara Moore. Moore wanted to honor Martin, who passed away of kidney cancer.

“I think it’s just important to really continue remembering how she touched my life, and this is one way that I can remember by,” Moore said. “I’m just remembering all the good times we had together growing up.”

The art piece, which depicts a faceless girl behind a window in the foreground and a unique house sitting in the background, draws her closer to her sister, Moore said.

“It just touches me to see that I did enter it today, and it helps me to remember her,” she said.

Michele Corbitt entered a watercolor and an oil painting. Her daughter, Caroline Corbitt, submitted a print.

Michele Corbitt believes the competition is a good way to raise funds for Turner.

“This is my favorite show of the entire year,” she said. “I think that it’s magnificent. I love the art center. I love the fact that they include artists from all over the southeast.”

She has entered the past five years and placed the first two years. She submitted paintings of a martini and a poppy.

The 2019 invitations reflected a colorful image of flowers lying on the greenery under a sunset and a blue sky.

The scene was created by Hahira Elementary fifth-grader Ella Warren, who won the invitation design contest. The entry was a first for Warren.

“I would say I’ve drawn a lot of sunsets and flowers,” she said speaking of her inspiration.

Warren’s mom, Mindy Herring, said the family is proud of the young artist.

“One thing I like is she always uses a lot of bright colors,” Herring said. “Everything she draws is always a lot of bright different colors.”

All of the art pieces will be available for viewing and purchase until June 5 in the arts center, 527 N. Patterson St. Call (229) 247-2787 for more information.

Amanda M. Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.