Riversdale Arts is gearing up for its 51st annual Mixed Media Arts Exhibition on 20th to 28th July and will this year be offering an Emerging Artist Competition with a first prize of $1000.

Young artists who are resident in Southland and aged between 13 and 25 (as at the 19 July) are eligible to enter the emerging artist competition.

Items that will be available at this year's Riversdale Arts Exhibition gift shop. Photo: Supplied

The popular Northern Southland exhibition will also be hosting a vibrant and diverse display of artwork from established New Zealand artists - including this year's special guest artist, Linda Hannan from Motueka.

Hannan is a self-taught artist who has developed a passion for contemporary realism and capturing the natural environments in New Zealand.

With oils being her preferred medium, the dramatic works accentuate the dynamics between realism & surrealism, textures & light, & contrasting colour.

Riversdale Arts' president Lois Bishop. Photo: Supplied

Her inspiration comes from not only the Abel Tasman National Park, which is right outside her door, but also from the raw terrain found in other remote parts of the South Island.

In addition to the exhibition, Riversdale Arts will be offering an array of popular workshops.

This year's line-up includes macrame plant hangers, crochet, water colours, pottery, pantry basics, Halloumi cheese and fabric plants.

Tamitanga by Shayne O'Neill. Photo: Supplied

And throughout the exhibit period a gift shop, stocking a wide variety of art and craft items, will be running. Purchased items will be able to be taken on the day.

A pop-up café will also be running daily during the exhibition, thanks to Country Manor.

The 51st annual Mixed Media Arts Exhibition will open at 7pm on Friday, Jul 19th with a gala evening in the Riversdale Community Centre, where Guest Artist Linda Hannan will be the speaker.

'Selective Hearing' by Nachiko Schollum. Photo: Supplied

Thereafter the exhibition will be open daily to the public from 11am to 5pm.

The exhibition closes at 3pm on Sunday 28th July.

CLICK HERE for more information.

CLICK HERE for workshop tickets.

CLICK HERE to book your Opening Gala tickets.

CLICK HERE to enter the emerging artists competition.