JOSEPH? Winner of the Best of Show award in the 2012 Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts show last weekend was Jaki Katz Ashford of Boise, with her painting, An Ofrenda for the Gulf.

I was shocked and so excited, Ashford said of her Best of Show win. She said this is her second time at the Joseph arts fest. Its a very high quality and sophisticated show. I was astonished and overjoyed to discover Joseph last year. Its a terrific venue and a beautiful town.

Seventy-six artists entered 200 pieces into the 30th annual art show.

Among other top winners was a painting of a little bird on a saddle, The Opportunist, by Debra Otterstein of Cove, who won the nod for Peoples Choice, and a mountain scene titled Moonlit Sacajawea and Lights of Baker City, by David Jensen, Enterprise, who earned the Peoples Choice-Photography ribbon.

Otterstein has been exhibiting at the Festival of Arts since 2002. Every year Ive learned something here, she said. It amazes me that the organizers are all volunteers and they put on such a quality show every year.

The exhibits judge, artist and gallery owner Randal Lee Brown of Boise, said the show was hard to judge because there were no categories for ribbon awards.

It was difficult to judge paintings against bronzes against photographs, Brown said, noting that it was especially hard because the show was very eclectic and full of high-caliber, professional-quality art work.

It was outstanding, said show director Carolyn Gilbert, noting that every piece in the show was accepted by the festival jury individually.

In addition to an opening Friday night reception, and free public viewing Saturday and Sunday, the festival included music, artist demonstrations and a Quick Draw event.

Other ribbons and awards presented for artwork at the show include:

Directors Choice Sandhill Crane Pair (bronze), by Phil Burton, Joseph.

Best Depicting Wildlife Salmon (wood carving), by Tom Murphy, Bend.

Best Representing American West Cowgirl Silhouette, Jessica R. Parries, Eagle Creek.

Our Cultural Heritage Lascaux Horses, Caprice Scott, College Place, Wash.

Best Amateur Photography Letting Go, Linda Sutch, Enterprise.

Blue ribbons Buena Vista Morning, Pamela Claflin, Bend; Black Beauty II, Linda Gray-McKean, Union; Midway, William Hoshal, Sedona, Ariz.; Storm Front, David Jensen, Enterprise; Summer Harvest Breezy Afternoon, Leslie LeViner, Enterprise; Post Parade, Myron Lee Newell, Pendleton.

Red ribbons Majestic, Phil Burton, Joseph; Kaleidoscope, Thomas Clevenger, Joseph; The Circle Game, Sam Collett, Joseph; Moonlight Dancer, Robert Dawson, Joseph; Cocevs Revenge, Ric Hall, Tacoma; Moonlit Sacajawea and Lights of Baker City, David Jensen; The Opportunist, Debra Otterstein, Cove.

Honorable mention Porch Light and Shadows, Tom Clement, Moses Lake, Wash.; California Evening, Robert Dawson; Courting, Ric Hall; Spring Thaw, Steve Hilt, Sherwood; Round Bales Morning Light, Leslie LeViner; Valley Sunrise, Zach Mansfield, Stanfield; Field of Dreams, Sheryl L. Parsons, Wendover, Utah; Curiosity, Jean Staidle, Enterprise.