Every January a huge white marquee goes up on Warland Reserve in Victor Harbor and everyone knows it’s time for the annual Rotary Art Show.

This year sees the 41^st incarnation of the award-winning art show, which opens to the public from Saturday 11 January daily from 9.30am to 8.30pm until 18 January.

The event is Australia’s largest outdoor art exhibition, attracting entries from all over the country.

Yvonne East will judge this year’s prizes. The award-winning artist is now based in Sydney, but was formerly a Victor Harbor local.

She says it is an honour to be asked to judge by the Rotary club of Victor Harbor. 

“Each work entered is taken under careful consideration, not only looking at the formal qualities of the painting, such as composition, tone, colour and gesture, but also the intention and meaning portrayed in the work. 

“Visual art has a unique way of communicating ideas - beyond what words can do. 

“It also takes an enormous amount of bravery to be creative and communicate ideas through art, so I commend all of the artists who enter for putting a small piece of themselves - their world view - forward to the viewing public.

The prize pool totals more than $30,000, with the top award of $12,500 for the Victor Harbor Art Prize. 

There are six acquisitive awards, ranging from $1000 to $5000; three non-acquisitive awards, including the people’s choice; and a range of youth awards.

The art show holds a ticketed preview evening on 10 January, when prizewinners will be announced. 

Entry to the show costs $8, which includes a program, with no charge for children under 16.

Funds raised go to Rotary community projects.