Artist from across the region are invited to enter works in a variety of categories such as Landscape or Seascape, Water Colour, Drawing and Sculpture. There's also an Open Section for any subject in any media or media combination.

With a total prize pool of $3000, it's time to get your creative juices flowing and start working on your entry.

Like many Bellingen Show traditions, the EJ Mantova Art Competition reaches way back but still maintains an important connection with the present.

The man himself was born in 1882, the year after the first Bellingen Show was held, and settled here in 1931, at first living in a caravan on the banks of the Bellinger River. Our river and the surrounding scenery became a source of inspiration for his landscape paintings, as it is for artists today.

He became recognised as Bellingen's first professional artist, although he continued to work for a number of years as a sign writer to make ends meet. His paintings were admired for their treatment of light and colour in capturing the essence of the local area. The Back to Bellingen Celebrations held in 1933 were an extensive celebration of his work with many trade floats and shop windows displaying tributes.

Mantova died in 1952 but is remembered as a source of inspiration and an Australian artist to be admired. This annual competition in his honour helps to promote and maintain his legacy.

Since the early 1970s, the Bellingen Show has hosted this memorial art competition and for many years the event was coordinated by local watercolour artist Marie Warwick, who is also honoured with the naming of the watercolour category after her.

Today, the EJ Mantova Art Competition, like the man himself, continues to hold an important place in the artistic and cultural life of our region and its place is evidence of the significance and importance of the creative arts scene in Bellingen.

Entry forms may be collected from art galleries and libraries throughout the Bellingen Shire and must be lodged with the Show Society by May Friday May 3. Entries will be received at the Main Pavilion Gallery at the Showgrounds between 5pm and 7pm on Tuesday May 14. Please refer to the entry form for lodgement and payment details.

The art work will be judged on Friday May 17 and the Official Opening and Prize presentations will be held at 2pm on Saturday May 18 with a scrumptious afternoon tea available. The art will be on display during the Bellingen Show weekend. Art works will be for sale during the exhibition

Even if you are not an artist with a painting or sculpture to enter, you can still be involved by joining in the popular People's Choice Award and perhaps you'll outwit the judges with your knowledge of art.

For more information, check out the Bellingen Show website or contact competition coordinator Jackie Lee on 0404658116.