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.

2026 Exhibition Timeline

By 5 p.m. Monday 14 September

• Online entry form must be submitted

• Entry fee must be paid via internet banking to BNZ 02 0916 0124425 000.  Please include your name in the reference.

Monday 21 September

• 9:30 – 11 a.m. Deliver your artworks to Central Stories, 21 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra            

• Check in your item(s) with Joanna

• Take all packing materials away with you

• Paintings are hung by COAS committee members and volunteers

Wednesday 23 September - Exhibition Opening Night

• 6:15 p.m. Doors open

• 6:45 p.m. Blossom festival opening

• 7:00 p.m. COAS exhibition opening and presentation of awards

Friday 2 October

• 4 p.m. People’s Choice Award Presentation

• Artworks may be checked out and removed after the presentation

Saturday 3 October - Collection of artworks

• 10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Sold and unsold work must be checked out and taken away at this time

• COAS does not have the capacity to store work

• Note: no work will be returned by courier

2026 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 Entry Form

To submit your art, please fill out our online entry form by clicking the following link:

Blossom Festival Exhibition Entry Form

Couriered Work 

You may send entries by courier, addressed to:

Blossom Festival Art Exhibition

Alexandra Community House

14-20 Centennial Ave.

Alexandra 9329

Work must be received by Friday 18 September.  Note: We are unable return work by courier.

Bin Folder Work

You may submit up to four unframed works to be placed in a rack for visitors to browse through and purchase.  Items must be mounted on a rigid backing board, sealed inside a cellophane sleeve, and correctly labelled.  

Please print, complete and bring the bin folder entry form when you drop off your work at Central Stories.

Bin Folder Entry Form

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