Celebrating its 10^th year, the show was conceived as a way to help support local artists in the Bendigo community.

Y Service Club of Kangaroo Flat vice president Christine Van Der Zee said the show has become quite well known.

Ms Van Der Zee said she has been involved with the art show since its inception.

“We wanted to give people a chance to show their artwork, that’s why we started,” she said.

“It was very much appreciated and has grown from there.”

There are more than 200 entries for this year’s exhibition compared to just over 150 at last year’s event.

“It is more traditional artwork but we have got some modern stuff as well,” Ms Van Der Zee said.

“The number of entries has gradually increased as time has gone on and the quality is getting better and better.

“From last week we have had 18 new artists from outside of Bendigo enter and have had more from Melbourne or interstate.

“I was talking to a lady whose niece had entered a painting and she was very eager to come and see the show.”

Ms Van Der Zee said she wasn’t sure why entries had gone up so much this year but that it was good for the Bendigo art community.

“This is our signature project and fundrasier for the year,” she said.

“Most of the funds collected will go to other local projects.”

Crusoe College art teacher will judge the paintings on Friday ahead of the exhibition launch on Friday night.

Ms Van Der Zee said there would be a range of prize on offer including best in show as well as awards for best oil, pastel, acrylic and watercolour works.

“He has been very impressed with the artwork (in the past) and has valuable knowledge in what should be judged,” Ms Van Der Zee said.

“(Artist) Patrick Verdon will also be supporting us and is our artist in residence at the show.”

Ms Van Der Zee and fellow organisers will spend Thursday hanging more than 200 paintings ahead of the exhibition launch.

The Y Service Club of Kangaroo Flat’s 10th Annual Bendigo Art Show opens on Friday, September 11 at the Y Community Hall at Lockwood Road, Kangaroo Flat.

City of Greater Bendigo councillor Rod Fyffe will open the show on Friday night from 6.30pm. Entry is $15.

The exhibition will be on display until Monday, September 14. Entry is $3.