The fifth edition of the National Arts Competition was won by artist Aleksandar Matic with his work in mixed media ‘Figural II’. The competition is organised by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and is sponsored by the Malta Trade Fairs Corporation.

First runner-up was sculptor George Muscat with his ceramic work ‘Magma’, while second runner-up was Nicholette Vella with her painting ‘Klandestini’. Consolation Prizes were awarded to Louhimies Lemmikki with her painting ‘The Joy at the Sea’ and to Graham Gurr with his painting ‘Shepherd’. Valerio Schembri with an untitled work and Adrian Abela with ‘Remind Me to Forget You’ were given honorable mentions.

Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech presented the prizes following a speech by society president Paul Asciak and a report by the curator of the exhibition Isabelle Borg.

In all 113 artists submitted 177 works of art which varied between sculptures in limestone, wood, earthenware, ceramics and paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastels, coloured pencils and mixed media.