Bonham -- Just a decade ago, there would have been no place in Bonham for artists and patrons of the arts to gather and enjoy an evening set aside especially for them.

Now it would be hard to imagine Bonham without its cultural icon, the Creative Arts Center. And artists from across North Texas and southern Oklahoma made their way to this sprawling gallery Friday night for one of the facility's truly special events of the year, Creative Arts Center's 10th Annual Judged Art Show.

This show is open to all artists, but it is really much more than that. This was an event tailor-made to explore and appreciate a wide spectrum of artistic endeavors.  It was also an evening for artists to share ideas, inspiration and techniques that evolved into the 63 entries comprising the Judged art Show.

(L-R) Bob Self, Executive Director of Fannin Community Foundation; Dallas artist Liz Netherland, judge at this year's show; Barbara Reeves, Creative Arts Center Executive Director

Dallas artist Liz Netherland judged this year's show and provided a fascinating critique of several pieces of art as the crowd hung on every word. Ms. Netherland selected winners in five categories: Oil, Acrylic, Photography, 3-D Work and Mixed Media.

"There is something good about every piece in here," Netherland said.  "So many, I kept coming back to -- that's want you want -- like a good book or song."

Liz Netherland discusses facets of some of her favorite pieces.

The judge shared a personal observation in regard to titles and the meanings behind the images.

"Sometimes, it doesn't matter what the artist was thinking," remarked Netherland. "It is perfectly fine if it makes you think something totally different; just so it makes you think."

And what convinced Netherland to hang the Best of Show ribbon on Lindy Ballew's Old #9?

"The composition is what impresses me most," explained Netherland.

 The art judge then invited Acrylic category winner Brenda Pratt to say a few words about her blue-ribbon entry, Evolved.

Liz Netherland (left) and Brenda Pratt

Ribbon winners at the Creative Arts Center's 10th Annual Judged Art Show included:

Best of Show - Old #9 by Lindy Ballew

Oil

1st - Pearl by Mary Crook

2nd - Boat Pier by Ellie Taylor

Acrylic

1st - Evolved by Brenda Pratt

Photography

1st - Spokane in the Rearview Mirror by Jerry Panter

2nd - Broken Dreams by Donna West

3rd - Coming Soon by Paula Brenneke

3-D Work

1st - Ornamental Neck Collar by Patty Krieder

2nd - My African Jam Quilt by Juanita Johnson

Mixed Media

1st - American History Revised by Carolyn Fauble

2nd - The Soul Has its Season by Marilyn Todd Daniels

3rd - The Little Owl & Yellow Moon by Chris Cravens

This special evening was made possible by Phyllis Elrod of Durant, Oklahoma.

Liz Netherland discusses her decisions as judge at the Creative Arts Center's 10th Annual Judged Art Show.

(L-R) Barbara Reeves, Executive Director at Creative Arts Center; Lindy Ballew, Best of Show winner; Bob Self, Executive Director of Fannin Community Foundation; Dallas resident Liz Netherland, judge at this year's show. photo by Philip Blander

Bob Self,  Lamond Smith and Allen Rich discuss a photograph from the show that Mr. Smith purchased to bring back to his home in Florida. Sunflowers have special significance in the Cuban communities in Florida. This photograph was a Best of Show winner at the 2011 Fannin County Fair.