Leith's Aimee voted most popular

“I am thrilled to receive this prize among such a high calibre of portraits,” Ms Leith said.

Ms Leith has been a member of NEA since 2016, and regularly runs workshops for local artists at the Benalla Art Gallery.

More than 150 people voted for their favourite artwork from the exhibition of portraits displayed at In Your Face.

NEA president Deb Dodd said she was happy to see another NEA artist claim a large reward for their work in the Portrait Prize.

“NEA is proud of the popularity of the In Your Face exhibition, which is fast becoming the exhibition prize to watch in the North East,” Ms Dodd said.

Alongside the People’s Choice award, as announced earlier, the $1000 Portrait Prize was won by joint winners Tanya Tabone and Frank Burgers.

NEA is now exhibiting a range of postcard-size artworks that will be on display until September 28, as well as a portrait of Aimee.