TAREE Open Art Exhibition judge James White has a big job ahead of him today.
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Almost 400 entries, now hanging at the Taree High School hall after a mammoth effort by volunteers over the past few days, are ready for his assessment ahead of tonight's official opening.
James will inspect each and every one of the entries and decide on the winners of each category as well as the best work in the exhibition.
From big, bold and brassy to small and delicate, a wide variety of styles and mediums have been entered from across New South Wales and interstate, including the usual big names and a few first-timers.
The Taree Open Art Exhibition, organised and run by Taree Artists, is the only major unselected, annual art prize held in the Manning Valley.
All work is done by volunteers and the generosity of the sponsors and helpers make it possible every year.
Exhibition secretary Helga Visser is happy with the standard of entries and is looking forward to welcoming the community over the coming nine days.
The official opening will be conducted by the deputy president of NRMA and Motoring and Services, Wendy Machin, tonight at the Taree High School hall, located on the corner of Macquarie and Albert Streets in Taree.
Doors will open to the public at 6.30pm and prize presentation is at 7.30pm.
Entry is $10, there will be light refreshments and everyone welcome.
Following the opening, admission to the rest of the exhibition is free.
It runs from Saturday July 5 to Sunday July 13 and is open every day from 9am to 4pm and closes at 2pm on the last Sunday.
During their visit, the community will also be invited to select their favourite artwork for the people's choice award.
Categories include oil or acrylic on board or canvas, any water-based medium, pastels, drawing, open (any medium, mixed media, print-making), miniatures and three dimensional art (sculpture, pottery, mobile etc).
All entries will be eligible for the people's choice award and the title of best work in the exhibition.
Judge James White has been practicing art since he left school and has won numerous prizes and held solo exhibitions across New South Wales.
He is a member of the Australian Watercolour Institute since 1991, exhibiting in their annual exhibition in Sydney at Wagner and Mosman Galleries.
In 1994 he became the senior visual arts teacher at Armidale school, retiring at the end of last year. In 2012 his work was hung in the Taiwan watercolour exhibition.