WORLD renowned artist Tony Pridham will be exhibiting at the Mansfield Easter Art Show for the first time.

Pridham's works will be amongst other Mansfield artists who will feature in this year's Mansfield Easter Art Show opening on Good Friday, April 7.

Celebrating 24 years the Mansfield Easter Art Show will be held again at the Masonic Hall in Highett St this Easter and will feature local artists such as Drew Gregory (Longwood), Wendy Webster (Tallarook), Rod Thorley (Benalla) and Libby Scheiber (Yarrawonga).

This art exhibition began in 1999 by Mansfield born Richard Watson and has grown to become one of the most popular art shows in regional Victoria attracting patrons from both interstate and throughout the state.

Watson has been joined by a former employer and colleague Terry Earle of Without Pier Gallery in recent years and between them they have sourced some of Victoria's most successful and popular artists to exhibit in Mansfield.

This year promises some of the most stunning art seen at the show in many years featuring an amazing collection of works from world renowned, and local Mansfield artist, Tony Pridham.

Pridham is regarded as one of the world's premier wild life bird artists and Watson and Earle see it as a great privilege to have his stunning collection of paintings and drawings in this show.

"Tony will be exhibiting 14 of his works – all originals in oils and charcoal, some that have never been shown before," Watson said.

"His two charcoal works are of an Alsatian dog and a Kelpie and are just exquisite," he said.

Other works to feature by Pridham include his original (and quite well known) large Eagle, along with birds such as blue wrens, an elephant, blood oranges and a special painting of one single rose.

This is the first time Pridham has exhibited at the Mansfield show and no doubt will draw much attraction for art lovers.

Other popular artists exhibiting include Jenny Gibney (Mansfield), Herman Pekel, Drew Gregory (Longwood), Baden Croft, David Frazer, Joseph Zbukvic, Lisa Wang, Libby Schreiber (Yarrawonga), Julian Bruere (Yea), Steve Harris, Ross Paterson, Vida Pearson, Nadine Dudek, Robyn Rankin, Kathy Ellen , Ben Winspear and Craig Penny just to name a few.

In all there will be more than 40 artists presenting paintings, works on paper, sculptures and glass.

Entry to this year's show is by gold coin donation which provides support for charities – Mansfield Hospital, Rosehaven and BlazeAid.

Held at the Masonic Hall, Highett St Mansfield from Good Friday, April 7 until Sunday, April 16 and is open from 9am till 6pm each day.