DECATUR - Skilled in everything from spinning pottery to turning wood, 78 artists continued the tradition of promoting local fine art at Decatur's 43rd annual Arts in Central Park on Saturday.

"It's amazing how many talented artists are in Central Illinois," said Bonnie Drumm, a Mount Zion artist who entered the show with the Senior Art Group, sponsored by Gallery 510.

One was Maxine Mussulman, a hobby painter from Decatur who has attended almost every year. Just as traditional as the show itself, her entry this year featured a Decatur icon, the red-roofed Transfer House.

From a photograph, she drew the scene in ink, sent the image to a printer to duplicate on greeting cards and hand-painted each card with watercolors. The price: a mere $5 for five cards.

"If anybody buys it, it's a great compliment," she said modestly.

All entries, however, are deemed to be fine art. Prior to the show, artists must submit five slides for a panel to review and approve as an entry. At the show, judges evaluate the entries and determine the best of the show.

This year's Best of Show was awarded to Chicago artist Patricia McGrady for her photography. A first-time participant last year, McGrady said she appreciated Decatur's artistic inclination. "There's a good art-loving community here," she said after receiving her ribbon.

Attending 15 shows in one year, she said Decatur's audience "gets it" because the visitors perceived the mood and emotion portrayed in her work. Often symmetric and defined by tree lines, she said her photographs reflect her dance background and West Virginia upbringing.

Other award-winners said their work reflected their local roots, too.

Sharon Zimmerman of Argenta.;displayed her award-winning watercolor paintings in booth No. 1, the same booth that used to display the artwork of her teacher and supporter, the late Gale Olsen. He taught art at Millikin University for 25 years and depicted his love of landscape in watercolor paintings.

Zimmerman said the formal criteria still used to judge technique, creativity and quality of craft has maintained the show's tradition.

"They've kept it a fine art, a fine craft," she said.

Bethany Carson can be reached at bcarson@;herald-review.com or 421-6968.