Artists from all over the country are vying for the prestigious Craigs Aspiring Art Prize supreme award which will be announced at tonight’s (Friday January 13) gala event.

The annual fundraising event, hosted by Wānaka’s Holy Family Catholic School, has attracted a record-breaking number of entries this year and, as a result, there will be 245 pieces in this weekend’s exhibition - a whopping 100 more than in 2022.

Art prize co-organiser Sarah Jamieson said this was the first time in the event’s history that organisers had to go through a selection process as a result  of the number of entries.

Sarah said the organising team was thrilled with the amount of interest: “We’re absolutely blown away - we never dreamed we’d be in this situation.”

“We would have loved to have had every person that entered be exhibited but we are confined by our space limitations.”

Craig’s Aspiring Art Prize guest artist for 2023, John Toomer, will have four of his pieces on display. 

Entries came in from all over New Zealand - around 50 percent each from the North Island and South Island - and span a huge range of artistic styles. 

The calibre of work this year is “just outstanding”, Sarah said. “We’re really, really excited.”

Following tonight's gala, where winners will be revealed, the exhibition will kick off tomorrow morning (Saturday January 14) at Holy Family Catholic School.

As well as the 241 works from selected artists - all of which are original pieces which have never been exhibited before and will be available to purchase - visitors to the exhibition will be able to view four pieces from this year’s guest artist John Toomer, who won last year’s people’s choice award. 

Sarah said all 350 tickets available for tonight’s gala have sold out.

The Craigs Aspiring Art Prize exhibition will run from Saturday through to Monday (January 16), open from 10am-4pm each day.

Entry to the exhibition is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

PHOTOS: Supplied