The Locations Art Awards 2008 exhibition opens to the public from 5.30pm at the Cloakroom Gallery and art society rooms on the corner of Ballarat and Stanley Sts, and runs until November 30.
The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
More than 50 Wakatipu and South Island artists, including Brian Millard, Spike Wademan, Jeri Elliot, Nigel Wilson and Jenny Majeske, have contributed their finest portraits, landscapes, oils, pastels, watercolours and acrylics from the past 12 months.
Many of the entries were inspired by this year's theme of "H2O". An adjacent room featured works that took on other inspirations.
Art Zone owner and artist Andrew Cook, of Dunedin, will study the works of art today before the opening and judge a dozen categories.
Locations Reality has sponsored the top award of $2000 for the best of exhibition plus two $500 second-place prizes.
Art Zone and Dart River Jet Safaris are both sponsoring theme prizes. Artists are expected to attend the 5.30pm launch today where prizes will be awarded.
The viewers' choice award will be announced at the end of the exhibition on the society's website.
Art society president Noeline Murch said the committee chose H2O as a theme to give artists something to think about.
"Water is pretty broad and they can interpret it in their own way. Last year, we had a golf theme because of the New Zealand Open. It's been a good response - it always is - but the standard of work seems to be improving every year."
The art will be available to buy from today, with prices ranging from $75 to several thousand dollars.
