THE esteemed annual Coleraine Art and Photography Show is on again with the official opening and gala awards presentation to kick off in the recently renovated Mechanics Hall on Friday, August 9, at 6.30pm.

Following the catered 2024 gala launch, the exhibition will run from Saturday, August 10, 10am-4pm and on Sunday, August 11, from 10am-3pm.

Coleraine and District Development’s Association’s Art show spokesperson and committee member, Val Lawson said Coleraine was a great little community of art and photography lovers with the township always very supportive of the annual event.

Ms Lawson was pleased to advise that the Coleraine Mechanics Hall had been completely renovated with two new split systems installed with another in the supper room as well which will make the venue much cosier this year.

She said there had also been a doubling in the main prize money for the best work of the show increasing from $500 last year to $1000 this year.

She said the other categories had also increased with $250 up for grabs in prize money.

“That is thanks to a couple generous sponsors, Vickery Bros and Bendigo Bank for the increased sponsorship funds,” Ms Lawson said.

Southern Grampians Shire Council chief executive, Tony Doyle will open the event and Hamilton Gallery director, Joshua White will be the judge.

This year’s guest artist is Val Vecchiet from Hamilton.

“She recently returned from studying art in France,” Ms Lawson said.

“This year we’re also having a guest photographer - Mark Petessen - he was also one of the category winners from last year.

“Ann James from Sandford is the photography judge.”

The raffle prize this year is a painting by last year’s special guest artist, Meagan Lonsdale from Edenhope.

She previously won best artwork for her watercolour painting, ‘The good brood chook’.

“She is a very talented young artist,” Ms Lawson said.

“She has been exhibiting with us for some years now - her work is absolutely beautiful, with very fine detail.”

Raffle tickets may be purchased from The Catching Pen.

Ms Lawson said with the hall renovations completed and the increased prize money on offer, the art show was sure to be another success.

Gala tickets may be pre-purchased from Coleraine Community Bank and The Catching Pen.

“We are very much looking forward to the event,” Ms Lawson said.

There are multiple categories available for entry with a range of conditions as listed within the entry form.

Entries for all categories close Friday, July 26.