After running the show online last year, exhibition coordinator Lee Rodger said she was thrilled to be bringing local talent back to the Kootingal Community Hall.

"It's nice for an artist for someone to stand beside your painting and appreciate it," she said.

"It's a very warm and cozy feeling."

Ms Rodger said the opportunity for artists to showcase their work in person would be incredibly beneficial.

READ ALSO:

"You want to share with other people, or talk about it, or be able o go and put it up on a wall and see it properly hung with a frame around it."

While the exhibition would provide the perfect opportunity for those looking to sell their work, Ms Rodgers said it would also be a space for budding Picassos to mingle with one another.

"Artists need to see other artists work and talk to them," she said.

A new junior section has been added this year to encourage children under 13 to express their creativity.

"Sometimes our youngest artists decide to put their energies into other things and don't take up their pencils ever again until they retire," Ms Rodger said.

For the older artists, sections include pastel, oil, watercolour, miniature and drawing with a grand prize of $1500 up for grabs thanks to one of the show's many sponsors, Joblink Plus.

"We're incredibly thankful to all our sponsors," Ms Rodger said.

With signs scattered around the gallery preaching 'art is seeing', the money raised from the exhibition will go towards supporting local and national eye health initiatives.

With rain forecast for this weekend Ms Rodger said getting down to the exhibition would be the perfect wet weather activity.

While everyone must be fully vaccinated to attend, the exhibition will also be held online.

The three day event will kick off on Friday at Kootingal Community Hall with an opening gala night, and will run through until Sunday.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: