THE Chinchilla Melon Festival is upon us and Lapunyah Art Gallery (formerly known at the White Gums Art Gallery) Committee is once again running the Melon Festival Art Competition.

Gallery volunteer director Helen Dennis said artists and craft-workers, regardless of address, were encouraged to submit their work for the biennial competition that runs in conjunction with Melon Fest.

"With 10 sections covering all age groups and arts and crafts mediums, there is an opportunity for everyone to exhibit their art and craft work,” Ms Dennis said.

The 2017 competition has 12 different classes open, including painting/pastel, monochromatic drawing, printmaking, fibre art (patchwork), fibre art (thread), wearable art, spatial construction, ceramics, jewellery and woodwork, as well as two additional categories for the younger artists: youth artist (10 years and younger) and youth artist (11 to 17 years).

First place is a cash prize of $200 and second place is $100 in the adult sections.

Entries close on Friday, January 20, at 4pm and all works must be submitted by February 10.

The Melon Festival Art Competition exhibition preview show is at 6pm on Monday, February 13, with the show open to the public the following day.

Entry forms are available from the Lapunyah Art Gallery or by emailing lapunyah@outlook.com.