The AFC's top award went this year to John Banovich for artistic excellence and outstanding contribution to the conservation cause. Here he is being presented the trophy by Guy Combes, son of Simon Combes in whose memry the award was created. Category: 2009 Awards

Five AFC artists were presented with the AFC "Medals of Excellence", for their artworks in the show – the show jury reconvened at the Museum in late August to select the 5 awards from the actual artworks. The five award-winners, in alphabetical order were

• Carel Brest Van Kempen for his "Creekside Conclave -Varied Harlequin Toads" This is the artwork that is featured on the cover of this year's show companion book,
• Jim Coe for "Snowy Fields",
• Guy Combes for his "The Creche" of an elephant family
• Andrea Rich for her woodblock print "Cranes in the Mist", and
• Mary Taylor for her lifesize metal sculpture "The Filly".

Each recipient of the AFC Medal of Excellence received a custom cast pewter medal, mounted in a custom velvet-backed wood and Lucite frame displaying a silver plate bearing a description of the award and the name of the recipient. 
 
Chairman of the Blauvelt Museum, James Bellis Jr., presented the Blauvelt Purchase Award to Robert Glen for his bronze casting, "Warthog Running". 
 
A new "Wildscape Editor's Choice" award was created this year in recognition of our UK media sponsor, Wildscape Magazine. This year the award went to Patricia Pepin for her painting "Takhi". Also recognized by the magazine for special recognition were Doug Aja ("Final Warning"), Sally Berner ("Washed Up") and Linda Sutton ("Imposing Prescents").

The first AFC Globetrotters Award was presented to the member who travelled the greatest distance to attend the opening weekend celebrations. Travelling the greatest distance was Chris McClelland with his wife Margie from Hay, New South Wales, Australia, only slightly edging out Lyn Ellison and Peta Boyce, also from Australia. The AFC is purchasing a Gold Standard carbon offset for the carbon footprint left by Chris' travels.
 
The evening's most coveted prize was the Simon Combes Conservation Award, given by the AFC to an artist member who has shown extraordinary support for the conservation cause through his or her art. This year's recipient was renowned American artist John Banovich. John was presented with a certificate and a special bronze sculpture trophy, designed by AFC artist Peter Gray of South Africa. John addressed the audience with an inspirational talk about the role of artist in conservation.