The premier art competition at the show is sponsored by the Boyd Family and is conducted over three sections - juniors (under 12), teenagers and adults (over 18).

Nowra Show media liaison Wendy Woodward said the competition has been running for three years and each year carries a different theme.

For this year's 145th Nowra Show the theme is a portrait of someone in the Shoalhaven.

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"They can be from any field," Mrs Woodward said "but ideally someone well-known.

"It is an exciting innovation and something totally different for the show. And we are very thankful to the Boyd Family for their support of this award.

"Artists are being asked to be part of this year's competition."

And there are big incentives, the overall winner of the senior section takes away a prize of $1000.

Winner of the teenagers' section will be awarded $300 and the junior section winner will receive $100.

"We have had some great entries in past years and we have been arranging for the various winners to be displayed as part of our 150th Nowra Show," Mrs Woodward said.

"It will be a special exhibition and be like a snapshot into the Shoalhaven over the past decade."

Information on entries and entries for other sections of this year's Nowra Show are available on the show's website https://www.nowrashow.org.au/ or for more information contact show society secretary Sue Hammond-Warne on 0491 128900.