Exhibition art convenor and local artist, Eileen Mair, said around 250 entries have been received so far with hopes there will be a late flurry before the cut-off on August 11. Last year there were more than 360 entries.

Entries have been received from artists in Gunnedah, Tamworth, Armidale, Inverell, Manilla, Quirindi, Narrabri, Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, Kangaroo Flats in Victoria, Wollongong and the Central Coast.

Ms Mair said she had seen a lot of new entrants this year from Tamworth and Armidale. 

“We’ve had a very encouraging lot of new [Arts Gunnedah] members who are keen to enter as well,” she said.

The annual exhibition is a popular event, with almost $7000 in prize money on offer.

There are two new categories this year – oil and acrylic (any subject, any medium), and local subject and local artist (Liverpool Plains area). There is no open category this year.

The art grand champion will receive $1200, and the ceramics grand champion will receive $600. The entrant who wins the people’s choice award for art will be given $200.

Entry sections in the art category include watercolour, printmaking, miniature, novice, sculpture and youth (10-18 years). Ceramic categories are thrown pot, hand-built and novice. 

The director of Tamworth Regional Gallery, Bridget Guthrie, will judge the art section this year. Barbara Dolahenty will judge the ceramics section.

Opening night will take place at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on Friday, August 18. Doors open at 6pm with the opening launched at 6.30pm. The exhibition will be on display until September 3.

“We're expecting quite a lot of people at the opening night,” Ms Mair said.

Entry forms can be picked up from the Creative Arts Gallery or obtained through Elaine Mair on 6743 1569, Shirley Urquhart on 6743 1618.