Jim Wilson of Wangi Lions said last year’s exhibition and sale was forced to relocate to the workers club  because the event’s traditional home, Rathmines Community Hall, had been closed because of asbestos concerns.

“This proved so successful that our club has decided to make Wangi Wangi the permanent home of the festival,” Mr Wilson said.

The festival, named in honour of the late local artist Sir William Dobell, will be held on the last weekend of April.

“This year a new category of portraiture will be added to the six sections of the art competition,” Mr Wilson said.

The art judge this year is the marketing and audience engagement officer for Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, Laura Wilson. 

“Laura holds a BA in art history and theory and has taught art history/theory at Newcastle Art School TAFE Hunter Institute for the past 15 years,” Mr Wilson said.

“Laura has also served as an art consultant to a commercial art gallery. We are delighted to have a person of such calibre for our 2017 judge.”

Ms Wilson said she was looking forward to judging this year’s Dobell Prize.

“This is always an incredibly popular event and with more artists per capita in the Hunter region than anywhere else in Australia, it makes my job that much more difficult,” she said.

“That said, I encourage all artists to enter, budding and established. There will be a winner for each category as well as the overall Dobell Prize, which is given to the best in show from any section. Categories are open for oil or acrylic, water medium, and any medium. All details and entry forms can be found on the Dobell Arts And Crafts Festival website.

“Don’t forget for a beautiful lake setting, you can always set up and paint on the water’s edge in front of Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery.”

Art entries close on April 5, with craft entries accepted up to April 18. More than $6000 in prize money is available.