Two Vicksburg artists have received awards in this year’s Annual Juried Exhibition presented by members of the Mississippi Artists Guild.

Elke Briuer won Best in Show for her acrylic painting “Love to Dance,” her first win in the event recognizing works in acrylic, oils, watercolor and pastels. Mary Qasim won first place in the Pastels category with her drawing “Joseph’s Coat.”

The two-month exhibition was judged by Bob Pennebaker, associate professor and chairman of the visual arts department at Belhaven College.

“It’s the very first time, so I was very excited,” Briuer said.

In September, Briuer won the Halcyone Barnes Memorial Award for her “Glowing Pear” painting that was part of the Mississippi Art Colony Fall Travel Show.

Qasim won first place in acrylic in last year’s juried show.

“I was totally surprised,” she said of this year’s showing. “I expected something else to win.”

Both women operate home-based studios.

Both pieces are displayed at the Eudora Welty Library, 300 N. State St., in Jackson and can be viewed in the meeting room through Feb. 24. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 601-968-5811.