The Otago Art Society event, held every two years, opens to the public on Saturday, but before then judge Robyn Notman, of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, must reduce the 292 entries to about 170.
A change in rules meant artists, from all over the South Island, could enter up to two pieces in the competition.
Society president Andrena Hall said about 170 entries were usually received and that was all the exhibition space, at the Art Station, could hold.
She believed the culling process would "really raise the bar" for the awards, which had a first prize of $3000.
After the cull, the society's hanging committee, led by Ngaere Moss, would place each piece and make the display "as artistic as possible", Mrs Moss said.
The exhibition ends on May 30.
