The annual exhibition is more expressive than ever, with a boom in entries in the open category which is for any medium including mixed media and print-making.

The exibition will be opened officially by Greater Taree City Council (GTCC) general manager Ron Rosselt. Mayor Paul Hogan, GTCC councillors, local dignitaries and artists will all be in attendance.

The prizes for the artworks will be presented on the night by judge Madeleine Szymanski.

Madeleine is a multi-award winning artist for printmaking, miniatures and watercolours. Exhibition secretary Helga Visser believes Madeleine has a great style for art.

Madeleine will arrive early Friday morning to judge each piece, she is given a list with numbers and artworks names, but in order to ensure fairness no prices or artist names are given.

On the opening night prizes will be given to first and second in each category as well as the $1000 major prize to the best artwork.

The opening night will also have nibbles and light refreshments.

The cost of the opening night is $10.

However to attend the exhibition which runs from Saturday July 4 to Sunday July 12 there is no entry fee.

The exhibition will run each day from 9am to 4pm, apart from the final Sunday where it will close at 2pm.

Raffle tickets will be sold at the exhibition daily for a chance to win an oil painting by Graham Cox or a hamper full of goodies.

Voting for people's choice will also take place during the exhibition.