Butler artist Michael Ward received an award for his pastel "Gotham City News," shown here, in the Hoyt Institute of Fine Art's Mid Atlantic exhibition that opens Sunday in New Castle.

NEW CASTLE — The Hoyt Institute of Fine Art's Annual Mid Atlantic exhibition opens Sunday featuring artwork by Michael Ward of Butler.

Ward's pastel "Gotham City News" received a merit award.

Other merit awards went to Mary M. Mazziotti of Pittsburgh, Laurel Mitchell of Volant and Ronald Nigro of Trafford.

Among the region's most notable winners was Aaronel deRoy Gruber of Pittsburgh, who received third place for an archival inkjet print called, "Carrie Furnace View 1."

Artists from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C. submitted 368 entries. From these, only 58 pieces were accepted by juror Douglas Fogle, who also awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes plus several merits. Fogle is the curator of contemporary art at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.

An opening reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

The exhibit will continue through Oct. 31.

New gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information, call 724-652-2882.