Discover Ballarat’s nature was the theme that almost 1300 young artists took inspiration from as they spent hours creating colourful artworks for the fifth year of the award.

Artist Karolina had the tough job of judging the hundreds of artworks, many of which featured well-known locations and animals from the Ballarat area.

Lake Wendouree, swans, and the birds who live in and visit Ballarat backyards were particular favourites.

It was when she laid out the artworks from each category, en masse, that the quality and vibrancy of the artworks stood out to her.

“Each child regardless of age, has its own unique dialogue between the hand, the brain and the eye and an innate desire to comunicate feelings, memories and facts,” she said.

“The simple act of completing a drawing, and allowing a child the opportunity to speak about what they have created, is about connection.

“An example of the true value of art in childhood is when a spontaneous scribble of a favourite colour can completely change a child’s attitude.”

Karolina told the hundreds of finalists and their parents who gathered at Ballarat Library on Sunday for the winners’ presentation, that entries in the grade three/four category were “phenomenal”.

“They were quite sophisticated and quite excellent,” she said.

“The quality and the standard of works in this age group is exceptional. Admittedly I struggled to choose the winner because I feel every finalist I chose in the grade three-four had won first place. I stripped down all the works in accordance with the elements of design to finally make my decision.”

Founder Margie Balazic was astounded at the number and quality of entries.

“These young artists are really passionate and every individual’s artwork is amazing,” she said.

Ms Balazic started the awards in 2013 after realising there were no local art awards for primary school-aged artists.

“There wasn’t an opportunity to entice children and encourage them to be creative,” she said.

The number of entries for the 2017 Ballarat Children’s Art Awards was unprecedented, with almost 1300 entries from students ranging from kindergarten to year 10. Ms Balazic said the number of entries had increased about 25 per cent each year.

Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh presented certificates and awards to the finalists and winners, telling them they were continuing the arts legacy of the city.

“We know how important art is to our community, our schools and families,” Cr McIntosh said.

“The vibrancy of Ballarat has burst out since we have had an arts focus.”

Cr McIntosh said any one of the entrants could go on to be Ballarat’s next celebrated artist.