LIVE OAK, Fla. — While smaller than in year’s past, the 22nd annual Autumn Artfest was still full of top work.

The annual fine arts exhibition at the Suwannee River Regional Library’s Live Oak branch, which is presented by the library and the Live Oak Artists Guild, had 61 entries. The opening reception and awards ceremony was held Friday and the Artfest exhibit will remain at the library through Sept. 21 during regular library hours.

Suzanne Marcil, the Artfest chairwoman, said the event drew 81 entries a year ago.

Still, smaller in number did not mean less talent according to Lisa Isadora Thompson. Thompson, art professor at North Florida Community College, was this year’s judge and she came away impressed.

“From what I knew about the work of the local artists, I expected judging to be a challenge but found that making choices between so many exquisite pieces to be quite difficult,” Thompson said in her statement. “I hope everyone in the show feels like a winner and should be proud of the work exhibited.”

The top honor from those “exquisite pieces” went to Anda Chance for “Threshersaurus,” which was named Best of Show.

Dawne Strickland won the Judge’s Choice award for “Treeline I.”

There were four awards given in the drawing category with Melissa Miller Nece taking first place for “Wall of Water.” Also placing were Sharon Hester, second, with “Ecotone” and Glinda Pennock, third, for “The Red Head.” Susan Jenkins received the merit award for “The Drink.”

In painting, Robin Popp’s “Blue Sunrise” earned first place with Betty Belair second for “Awaiting Spring” and John Rice third for “Friday Night at the Lantern.”

Grace Bowman won first place in photography for “Spark Gazing” with Andre Marcil second for “Chicago Sky.”

The Three-Dimensional winners were Ann Opgenorth’s “The Leap” in first and Suzanne McCullers-Swafford in second for “Splash.”

The works that received awards will be hosted in a “Featured Exhibition” at the library from Sept. 24 through Oct. 5.