Retired teacher Freddie Poggio took the first prize in yesterday evening’s Gibraltar International Art Exhibition.

The Gibraltar International Art Exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Culture in association with the Gibraltar Cultural Services, is being held at the Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery. The Minister for Sports, Culture, Heritage and Youth, Steven Linares officially opened the exhibition yesterday.

Ninety seven artists from Gibraltar, England, Ireland and Spain have submitted a total of one hundred and eighty seven works.

Ms Barbara Rae, Royal Academician carried out the adjudication. The prizewinners are:

First Prize: Freddie Poggio ‘Landmark’

Second Prize: Anna Cavilla 
‘Shutter Street’

Third Prize: Alan Perez 
‘A Lapse in my Inner Turmoil’

Best Gibraltar Theme: George Kowzan ‘Man of a Thousand Days’

Young Artist Prize: Monica Popham ‘Who Am I?’

Best History of Gibraltar Theme: Paul Cosquieri 
‘Gibraltar Woman’

The following received ‘Highly Commended’ Certificates: -

Shane Dalmedo‘The Game No.10’  

Leslie Gaduzo ‘Unquestionably Ours’

Jonathan Huart
‘Gibraltar Airfield’

Alan Perez
 ‘Gibraltar View 2015’

Francisco Perez Plata ‘Landscape from Levante’

Commenting at the official opening of the International Art Exhibition, Steven Linares said:

‘The Gibraltar International Art Exhibition has attracted a great number of entries from local and international artists, amateur and professional in their field. I am convinced that the International Art Exhibition will grow to become even bigger as we strive to expand the scope to other countries and therefore be an inspiring experience for everyone to enjoy. The Ministry of Culture has embarked on a mission which is to export our Art and this Exhibition is a good tool to measure our quality and standards with others in different countries.

‘We must give special thanks to this year’s Adjudicator, Barbara Rae from the Royal Academy, for undertaking this task. Thanks must also go to all the artists, the members of the Fine Arts Association, and the Gibraltar Culture Services staff for their continuous dedication and hard work. Without them this exhibition would not be possible.

‘Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Bonita Trust for their support and sponsorship for the ‘Best Gibraltar Theme’ prize and to the Gibraltar Museum for their sponsorship of the ‘Best History of Gibraltar Theme’ prize.

I hope that everyone will enjoy this year’s exhibition.’

The Exhibition is now open to the public until Friday 21st November between 10.30am and 6.30pm on weekdays and 10.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday. Entrance is free.