The Nelson Bay-based centre is radiating with 377 entries into the 2019 Port Stephens Art Prize.

Winners of the art prize categories were revealed on Friday, March 15 and all works are on show until 2pm on Sunday, March 24.

One hundred and 30 people attended the opening of the art prize this year - each eager to hear who the lucky winners of the $10,000 prize money pool were. The pool of funds was made up of cash and vouchers generously donated by sponsors.

"A truly magnificent accomplishment by all entrants. Wonderful that half of our winners are from Port Stephens," Meryl Miller from the art centre said.

A large number of art prize paintings sold on opening night.

There were five sections in the 2019 Art Prize artists could enter works in:

Professional Raymond Terrace artist Debra Liel-Brown was the judge of this year's entries. The Encouragement Awards were judged by the arts centre's own Nada Yonge.

The winning pool of artists in the 2019 Art Prize categories was dominated by Port artists.

In the Port Stephens Art Prize, themed Our Natural Environment, Joy McLeod from Boat Harbour claimed first prize, $1500 from sponsor Port Stephens Council, for her painting Seascape Boat Harbour.

Ms Liel-Brown said of the painting: "The artist has captured the craggy rugged rocks of Boat Harbour, the forces compelling the waves, the undertow and wind."

Second place was claimed by Soldiers Point artist Kay McFarlane Smith with her oil painting Storm Warning.

Highly Commended was awarded to Medowie's Prue Sailer for Eastern Rosella. Anna Bay artist Robyn Bailey's painting Time Passage was Commended.

Ms Liel-Brown said of Time Passage: "This is a technically difficult painting yet the artist has described the depth and distance receding. The colours are clean and fresh and enjoyable. As the viewer looks more carefully, a bird and its reflection is seen in a pool of water."

Port artists also dominated the Travel section.

Ileana Clarke from Nelson Bay won first prize, $1500 from sponsor Love Oil Collection, for her painting Long Open Country.

Second place was claimed by Nelson Bay artist Kimberly Swan for her painting of the rare New Zealand Tui Bird.

Peter Smith from Soldiers Point was Commended for his painting Colours of the Mediterranean. 

Christine Leaming from Salamander Bay claimed first prize in Miniatures. Dan Riley of Fingal Bay claimed second prize.

In the Encouragement Awards, Shoal Bay artist Barbara Winters, Corlettes Therese Smith and Sheila Binstead from Salamander Bay were recognised.

Port Stephens Arts Centre is located in Cultural Close, Nelson Bay. It is open 10am to 4pm daily.

The garden cafe is open weekends 10am to 2.30pm. It serves light lunches, coffee and homemade cakes.

Admission into the art centre is free.

Travel - Colour and Wonder 

1st place awarded to Ileana Clarke - Long Open Country

2nd place awarded to Kimberly Swan - New Zealand Tui Bird

Highly Commended awarded to Judy Nobilo - When In Japan

Commended awarded to Peter Smith - Colours of the Mediterranean

Ms Liel-Brown said of Ms Clarke's painting Long Open Country: "This is a beautiful timeless painting with a deep, dusty distance and stillness. To me it is a moment, standing still, forgetting the world and sinking into the view."

Ms Clarke, Ms Swan and Mr Brown are members of the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre.

Australiana - Over Land and Sea

1st place awarded to Jill Cairns - Spirits Calling

2nd place awarded to Julie Simmons - My Local Bushland

Highly Commended awarded to Deborah Barry - Home Sweet Home

Commended awarded to Denise Dean - Waiting at the Wharf

Ms Liel-Brown said of Ms Cairns' painting Spirits Calling: "This artist knows the bush well. She has created an energetic portrayal of the chaotic nature of the Australia bush, its dryness and textures and also the subtle changes in topography. It gives you a sense of being in the landscape."

Portraits - The One Who Touched My Heart

1st place awarded to Bernice Daher - John

2nd place awarded to Tricia Reust - Soft Smile

Highly Commended awarded to Sonja Fabian - Jenai

Commended awarded to Jennifer Dimmock - Milton Morris

Ms Liel-Brown said of Ms Daher's painting John: "The sitter in this portrait is a direct man who studies the viewer looking for inconsistencies. The artist has given him convincing depth and mass. The structure of this portrait is accurately observed."

Port Stephens Art Prize - Our Natural Environment

1st place awarded to Joy McLeod - Seascape Boat Harbour

2nd place awarded to Kay McFarlane Smith - Storm Warning

Highly Commended awarded to Prue Sailer - Eastern Rosella

Commended awarded to Robyn Bailey - Time Passage

Miniatures - Taste and Sound

1st place awarded to Christine Leaming - Tomatoes

2nd place awarded to Dan Riley - Apple & Knife Arrangement Study

Commended awarded to Madeleine Szymanski - Garden Picnic

Highly Commended awarded to Ariane Bell - Song King

Ms Liel-Brown said of Ms Leaming's miniature painting: "The fruit on a tablecloth is small but it has great clarity even from 2 meters distance. The tomatoes and blue cloth are a clean and fresh colour combination which makes the tomatoes like jewels."

Encouragement Award

Portraits

1st place awarded to Lloyd Foye - Lore Reading

Port Stephens Art Prize

2nd place awarded to Barbara Winters - Winter Morning Shoal Bay

Australiana

Highly Commended awarded to Therese Smith - Box Beach Morning

Port Stephens Art Prize

Commended awarded to Sheila Binstead - Undersea Garden

Mrs Yonge said or Mr Foye's painting Lore Reading: "Using a mixture of different mediums, in this beautifully executed and technically proficient work, Lloyd has captured the subtle nature of this lady in this stunning portrait."