The Gunnedah Youth Art Showcase aimed to raise awareness of youth mental health by giving those aged 12-25 years of age the opportunity to express themselves through art.

The walls and floor of the gallery was full of local young artist's works, ranging from paintings and pencil drawings to sculptures and collages.

Read also:

The event was run by headspace Gunnedah in partnership with Gunnedah Shire Council.

headspace Gunnedah's provisional psychologist Jayde Noble said it was "really exciting to see" so many submissions.

"There's a great deal more than there was last year so I think the word got out a bit and people were interested in putting things in and wanted to be a part of it," Ms Noble said.

Ms Noble said she was hoping the showcase would become an annual event.

"It would be really important to give people something to look forward to and also something to work towards and know that young people are appreciated in the community," she said.

Each artwork was numbered, rather than named, for fair entries into the people's choice prize.

The top two with the most votes will each receive a twin pass to The Civic cinema. Other prizes include headspace packs with eye masks, recipes and other items for positive mental health, and colouring-in books.