Mr Elvin was in Muswellbrook last week and participated in a number of NAIDOC week activities.

As 2008 National NAIDOC Week Artist of the Year, Mr Elvin was asked to lend his artistic talent as adjudicator of the inaugural Muswellbrook NAIDOC Week Local Aboriginal Art Awards.

The awards were opened on Saturday, July 7, in front of more than 60 people at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre.

A total of 28 entries were received for the art awards with Mr Elvin deciding on Singleton artist Debbie Becker's Freedom painting as the overall adult section

winner.

Second prize was awarded to Shannon Wilson's piece A Night Song.

After judging each piece Mr Elvin said he was impressed with the quality and quantity of works entered.

“I am very pleased to see artists breaking away from the strict adherence to the traditional mark makings of our people and attempting to find their own voices with both the Aboriginal and Western traditions of art,” Mr Elvin said at the awards’ opening night.

The Young Artist award was presented to Jamie Parker of Muswellbrook, collecting a $1000 cheque for his piece that Mr Elvin said showed a deep understanding of Aboriginal symbology.

In addition to the awards display, the gallery is also showing a survey exhibition of paintings by Coffs Harbour based Aboriginal artist Danielle Burford.

Burford's pictures conjure a magical world of mythological sea creatures and land totems including

goannas, sting rays, dolphins, turtles, lizards, coral and eucalypt.

Both exhibition will be on show at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre until July 29.

Members of the public can also show their appreciation for the Upper Hunter Aboriginal art scene by voting for their favourite art work on display in the Muswellbrook NAIDOC art awards.

Winner of the People's Choice Award will be announced on July 31.

More NAIDOC Week awards photos in Friday's Muswellbrook Chronicle.