Art lovers are in for a treat this weekend as the Craigs Investment Partners Aspiring Art Prize returns, bringing hundreds of never-before-seen works from across New Zealand to Wānaka. 

The 19th annual event - a Holy Family Catholic School’s fundraiser - will showcase 151 pieces from 147 artists, with something for everyone. 

Aspiring Art Prize event manager Kelcey Radford said visitors to the exhibition can expect a wide range of mediums: “oil paintings, mixed media, acrylic paintings” and more.

The event will kick off with a ticketed gala opening night on Friday (January 9). 

Tickets are still available ($80) and include live music, complimentary drinks and nibbles, and the first chance to view and purchase artwork.

Winning entries will also be announced on the night. 

After the gala, the exhibition opens to the public from Saturday to Monday (January 10-12), 10am to 4pm each day, with the collection filling multiple classrooms at Holy Family Catholic School. Entry is $5.

Visitors can vote for the annual People’s Choice Award when they attend the exhibition.

The Aspiring Art Prize typically attracts hundreds of entries and visitors and over the last 19 years it has established itself as a nationally recognised art award.

Each year it features a guest artist and this year’s is Kate Horn, a contemporary artist from Auckland.

Kate said she was particularly drawn to the quiet power of remote places, and often paints bold, atmospheric scenes featuring lone houses nestled within vast and dramatic terrains. 

Kelcey said tickets for the gala are available at the Aspiring Art Prize website and, after the gala, an online gallery will go live to give people who cannot attend the exhibition in person the opportunity to view and purchase works.

Find more information and buy tickets here.

PHOTO: Aspiring Art Prize