Blossom Festival Art Exhibition

Held every September during the Alexandra Blossom Festival, this much-loved annual event showcases the incredible talent of local and regional artists. Visitors can expect a diverse range of work, from painting and printmaking to ceramics and mixed media, making it a highlight of the Central Otago art calendar. 

This exhibition is held in the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery, right in the heart of the Blossom Festival, and is open to all.

People's Choice Presentation

• Friday 2 October, 4 p.m. at Central Stories Museum, Alexandra

• All welcome

Collecting your art from Central Stories

• Friday 2 October, 4.30 p.m. immediately following the People's Choice presentation

• Saturday 3 October, 10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Please note, artworks are not permitted to remain at Central Stories after this time, and we do not have premises to store artworks securely.  If you are unable to come at these times, please arrange for someone else to pick it up for you.

2026 Prize Winners

Special Category ‘Green’: Yve Checketts, After Hours 

Highly Commended: Helen J. Smith, The Valley

Highly Commended: Anne Baldock, Pork Talk

Runner Up: Jen Anderson, Spring Series 2

Premier Award: Marie Reid-Beadle, The Chime 

Elizabeth Stevens Memorial Award: Ross Cowie, Four Great Grannies

Sponsors of the 2026 Blossom Festival Exhibition

COAS sincerely thanks all the exhibition sponsors for their support.

Premier Award

• Earnscleugh Castle $1000

• Duncan Anderson Dental Surgeons $1000

Runner Up

• Gordon Harris $500 online voucher

• AWS Legal $500

Highly Commended

• Commercial & Rural Insurance $250

• BDO Southern Lakes and Central Otago $250

Highly Commended

• New World Alexandra $250 voucher

• ICL Chartered Accountants $250

Elizabeth Stevens Memorial Award

• Kieran Tohill Law $500

Special Category ‘Green’

• Olivers Restaurant, Clyde Dinner for two and one night’s accommodation

People’s Choice

• Paper Plus Alexandra $200 voucher

• PKF Otago $250

Exhibition Conditions of Entry

1. All artwork must be original and the sole work of the artist

2. Artists must be 16 years of age or older

3. No late entries will be accepted

4. Artwork must not have been previously exhibited in a COAS exhibition

5. Artwork that has won an award in a previous exhibition will not be eligible for a COAS award

6. Giclée and AI art are excluded

7. Paintings must be mounted ready for hanging and not have any protruding screws

8. A swing tag must be attached to each artwork stating 

   • Artist’s name

   • Title of the work

   • Medium

   • Price

9. Information on swing tags must match the information given on the entry form

10. Unframed bin folder work must be laid on stiff board and be covered with cellophane.  A label must be attached to the back stating

    • Artist’s name

    • Title of the work

    • Medium

    • Price

11. All work must be for sale

12. The COAS will receive a commission of 25% for every item sold

13. Insurance is the sole responsibility of the artist

14. Unfinished, wet work, or work that does not comply with the conditions of entry will not be displayed.  COAS hanging decisions are final and no discussion will be entered into

2026 Exhibition Information

Exhibition dates:  Wednesday 23 September – Friday 2 October

Location:  Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery, Alexandra

Opening night event:  Wednesday 23 September, 7 p.m.

Guest judge:  Jenny Chisholm

Special category theme:  'Green'

Entry fee:  COAS members $15.00, non-members $30.00 (covers all items)