The 2016 art prize and exhibition is expected to draw entries from as far as Sydney and Brisbane and feature strong talent from across the Hunter region. 

Maitland Art Gallery director Bridgette Uren will cast her detailed eye over the works and choose the winners before the official opening on Friday, September 9. 

Ms Solomon said artists of all ages and levels benefited from entering the competition. 

“It gets your work seen, there are maybe upwards of 1000 people that will be there over the two weekends and the week between that will see the work,” she said.

“It’s also an opportunity to sell and gain recognition through the competition.”

There are several categories – including a section for youth that encompasses painting, photography and drawing sections, and a section for people who live in the Dungog Shire. 

There is also a section dedicated to the late Lesley Skinner, who was an avid painter. Artists who enter this section must paint a traditional landscape.

Ms Solomon thanked businesses for their support and said the open section offered $1000 prize money for first place and $500 for second place. 

She encouraged people to come and see the collection of works and said they wouldn’t be disappointed.

The entries in Dungog’s Archies exhibition, which is the town’s version of the Archibald prize, will also be displayed in the shed. 

Paddy Dillion donated the use of the shed for the event. 

The works can be viewed between 10am and 3pm between September 10 and 18.