An increasing number of people are attending the Lodi Arts Center's 42nd annual art show, especially since it moved to the Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Winery four years ago.

"We come every year because we enjoy art, and it's a beautiful setting," said Karen Stephens of Lodi.

Visitors to the free show were able to sample different Mondavi wines and sauces while enjoying the art show.

Stephens noted the strong aroma of wine as visitors walked into the winery on Woodbridge Road, east of Kennefick Road. Some 245 drawings, paintings and photographs were attached to wine barrels at the winery.

"I was impressed," said Ryan Tyree of Sacramento. "I thought it was going to be more small-town pictures. I was expecting high-school artwork."

Tyree's younger sister, Annie Tyree, 14, of Fresno, said, "I like the way they hung them on the barrels."

Eunice Jewart of Lodi, an art show committee member, was pleased with the turnout. The only downside was the temperature, needed to keep the wine in good condition.

"It's cold. It stays 54 degrees in here," Jewart said.

Ephraim Samson of Stockton was awarded best of show for a watercolor painting called "Pacific Seafood."

First-place awards went to Ralph Nena of Merced for oils and acrylics, Donald M. Harvie of Stockton in watermedia, Tina Moore of Stockton for pastels; Elena T. Spice of Stockton for mixed media, Marjorie Preszler of Lodi in graphics, Glenn E. Robison of Lodi for sculpture and ceramics and Richard Ramirez of Gridley in photography.

Participants had their works available for sale, with asking prices ranging from $65 to $5,000.

Art committee chairwoman Caroline Henry of Morada said some artists' stiff asking prices are what they're actually worth. Some, however, price their work out of the market because they don't want to sell it, Henry said.

"It's a nice art show," Doris McCaughna of Lodi said as she walked through the gallery. "I'm thinking of getting my sons involved next year. I've got a photographer and an artist."

Local artists displaying their works included Diane Burkett, John V. Callahan, Nick Felten, Beverly Felten, Donna Korphage, Rolf Pinkwart, Marjorie Preszler, Carlotta E. Ritchie, Glenn E. Robison, Beverly Rolfe, Patti Wallace, Jon Withers and Ken Woodworth of Lodi.

Other local artists included Kathleen Barrett, Alice Marie and Lisa Ulricksen of Acampo, Beverly Colvin of Galt, Auralee Dallas of Clements, Lisa A. Goldman and Gladys O'Keefe of Woodbridge and Michelle B. Terra of Thornton. Several artists' residences were not listed.

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