A highly anticipated art exhibition and competition make its return to Waikino's Victoria Hall this Labour Weekend.

Now into its 15th year, the ARTWaikino exhibition is a major fundraiser for the iconic Victoria Hall on State Highway 2, just as you enter the Karangahake Gorge.

The 2014 ARTWaikino supreme winner Cathy Franzoi of Waihi Beach with her photograph ‘On top of Swallow Ridge'.

'Every year the organising committee is astounded by the diverse range of art works which are entered,” says ARTWaikino convenor Helen Wilson.

'All the art work is for sale and with many artists participating there's always a large variety of art to choose from.”

The competition features five categories: art (painting and drawing), handcraft, photography (people), photography (other), and sculpture.

Prizes for category winners range from $150 to $250, while the supreme competition winner will walk away with a $500 prize.

Judges in the painting, handcraft and sculpture categories this year's will be Hamilton illustrator Gary Venn, while Tauranga's Shawn Rolton of Pushinguppixels will judge the two photography sections.

Helen says this year an art trail has also been organised, with artists from Waikino to Waihi Beach opening their studios to visitors.

'There are at least 19 arty destinations, including embroidery and weaving at the Waihi Museum Gallery, painting demonstrations by the Waihi Art Group On Moresby Ave, Curtis Growers at Athenree will host on-site pottery making and cafes involved will be exhibiting artists work.”

ARTWaikino takes place at Victoria Hall in Waikino this Saturday, October 24 until Monday, October 26. Entry is by gold coin donation and all art work will be for sale.