Locals will get the chance to view art by around 150 artists from all over New Zealand at the upcoming Craigs Investment Partners Aspiring Art Prize 2024.

Visitors to this weekend’s exhibition can expect a wide variety of media, from oil painting to drawing and mixed media, Aspiring Art Prize event manager Kelcey Radford told the Wānaka App.

The annual exhibition is now in its 18th year and typically draws hundreds of entrants and visitors.

One of the special things about the exhibition, Kelcey said, is that it features never-seen-before pieces.

“None of the art has ever been viewed in public before,” Kelcey said.

The exhibition will be open at Holy Family School between Saturday and Monday (January 11-13) following the opening night on Friday (January 10).

Kelcey said the opening night would feature music, drinks and nibbles and give ticketholders the very first opportunity to view (and purchase) the art. 

In addition, award winners will also be announced on the night, she said.

Judges are selected each year by principal sponsor Craigs Investment Partners, she said.

Kelcey said there are still “a handful” of tickets left for the opening night.

The Aspiring Art Prize is a fundraiser for Holy Family Catholic School’s art programme.

Kelcey said the annual event was possible thanks to the work of “loads of really dedicated parent volunteers”.

Buy tickets to Friday night’s opening night here.

To attend the exhibition between Saturday and Monday, head to Holy Family School (entry $5).

PHOTO: Supplied