David McGuire, artist/owner of McGuire Fine Art Gallery, artist and author Antonio Mendez, and Richard Vallaster of the graphic design firm Creosote Affects, had the tough job of judging this year's holiday art competition entries.

The theme of this prestigious competition is "The Holidays in Historic Frederick." The winning artist receives a $1000 cash prize, and their artwork is used for the 2004 holiday season posters, ornaments, postcards, and other promotional materials.

Both Mayor Jennifer Dougherty and event chairman Barbara Maghan and large crowd of community leaders, artists, and locals were on hand to see the winning piece and meet the judges.

An acrylic painting titled "Now and Then" by Ellen Byrne was the winner of the Holiday Poster Contest for 2004.