This year’s Arts of the Terrace was the largest ever in its 35 years of tradition, bringing in over 300 entries from both in and out of state. Opening night brought in at least 250 people, which was one of the greatest showings in the event’s history.

Arts of the Terrace is a local nonprofit public art show featuring artists from all over Washington and beyond. Submissions have come to the well-known art show from places as far as New York.

Over 270 of the submitted works went on display at the Mountlake Terrace Library. These included wide varieties of art types, including photography, paintings, drawings, calligraphy, prints, 3D and artisans’ works.

Each year, awards are given for first through third place winners in different categories, including paintings, miniatures and photographs. There are also awards for Best of Show, People’s Choice, Children’s Choice and Commisioner’s Choice.

One of the award winners at Arts of the Terrace was Valencia Carroll, who recieved Best in Show for her miniature, “Jade.” This marked the first time Best of Show was awarded to a miniature.

“Jade” was one of four miniatures in a series that Carroll submitted to Arts of Terrace. With this series, Carroll said she wanted to paint something small and colorful.

“It felt really good, I was really happy to win,” Carroll said. “It was surprising that such a small piece out of all of the pieces that were entered was noticed, so I was really surprised and happy.”

Carroll has been entering her art into shows increasingly over the last five years, some of which have won awards. In the future, Carroll wants to try creating a narrative series, or a collection of miniatures depicting objects or people posed in certain ways to tell a story.

“You never know what a judge may be drawn to. Art is subjective. That means that it’s based on what somebody’s interested in,” Carroll said. “You never know what can happen at these shows.”

Another artist, professional photographer Ken Strange, won first place in the photography category for his photo “Moon over Monterey Cypress.” According to Strange, he never expected to win any prizes for this piece.

“I felt it would do well. I knew it would be accepted. Whether it would win, the judges determine that,” Strange said.

Strange has won several awards for his works, including Best in Show by the Photographic Society of America. According to Strange, this award is like the Olympic gold medal of photography.

These awards are given with cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500. This money comes from commissions collected on art that is sold at Arts of the Terrace. Typically, 15 to 20 pieces are sold from the art show per year.

Arts of the Terrace is put on by Friends of the Arts and the Arts Advisory Commission of MLT, with the purpose aiming at the promotion of art in the community. At first, the art show brought in a lot of beginning artists, but lately it has been drawing the attention of many professional artists, according to arts commission director Judy Ryan.

Though the number of professional artists submitting their work has been increasing, anyone of any age can enter their artwork into the competition.