Cobram Lions Club chair Janet Austin said the event gave young local artists a valuable opportunity to display their work while building confidence.
“It gives them a bit of identity, it builds their confidence and provides a way to display what they’re doing and encouragement to keep going with art if that’s what they're interested in,” she said.
“Each year, the competition's grown bigger. Overall, there were about 70 artists who entered last year across the various sections.”
The competition is open to children and adults alike, with the adult section for people aged 14 years and up.
The exhibition features a range of categories including a general section, where entrants can paint or create anything they like, provided it does not exceed A2 size.
There is also a photography section sponsored by the Finley and District Camera Club.
The art show also incorporates the Lions International Peace Poster Competition for eligible students attending Cobram schools.
Ms Austin said this year's theme, Harmony in Humanity, encourages young people to imagine a world where people from different cultures, backgrounds and communities live together with respect, kindness and understanding.
“When we treat each other with respect and kindness, peace can flourish,” she said.
“We invite young people to imagine a world where people of every culture and background live together peacefully — celebrating differences, finding common ground and creating true harmony in humanity.”
The peace poster competition is open to students aged 11 to 13. Entries must be original hand-drawn artworks on A2 paper that reflect the theme and contain no numbers or letters.
Winning entries will progress to district-level judging, with the opportunity to advance even further.
Ms Austin said a Cobram student previously progressed to the international level of the competition and travelled to America.
Entries for all sections, including the peace poster competition, close on Sunday, August 9.
Artwork must be delivered to Killara House, Cobram Showgrounds, between 10am and 12pm.
The exhibition will be held at Killara House on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, from 10am to 4pm each day, with awards presented at 3pm on the Sunday.
Entry to both the exhibition and competition is free.
Following the exhibition, some artworks will be displayed at the Cobram library for up to a month.
For more information, contact the Cobram Lions Club on 0459 340 109.
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