The 46th year of the Wānaka Arts Labour Weekend Exhibition is bigger than ever, with more than 160 exhibitors, over 450 items on display, and more visitors than ever at the Opening Night Gala (on Thursday October 23). 

The overall winner was Michelle McIver of Auckland with ‘Threshold’.

Curator Vicky Fulton said all 450 plus artworks were hung on Thursday.

“It is the best we’ve had,” she said.

The overall winner was Threshold by Michelle McIver.

“It increases every year in size and in quality. I’m really proud to be showing all this work by local artists.”

Wānaka Arts new chair Sonia Waters told the Wānaka App there were more people exhibiting and more work than before because of what organisers and Arts members have done in previous years.

More than 450 artworks were on display, many from local artists.

“It’s pretty exciting,” she said.

“What I love about it is there’s people who have not exhibited before who have come out of the closet, showing their work. 

“It takes something to finish it, frame it, present it, and offer it to the world.” 

The annual Labour Weekend Exhibition & Sale is the cornerstone event of the year for Wānaka Arts, which works to educate, inspire and support the region’s diverse artistic community.

There were more visitors than ever before, with opening gala night tickets sold out.

The exhibition at the Lake Wānaka Centre will be open through until Sunday.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App