An initiative of the Queanbeyan Arts Society, the show is held in City Walk and Garema Place at that time to attract visitors to Floriade and locals alike.

The art show aims to raise money for a different charity each year, with 25 per cent of each painting sold donated. This year, the charity of choice is the Ricky Stuart Foundation.

The foundation was set up in 2011 to raise awareness of autism. Donated funds go directly to supporting people with autism and their families.

Queanbeyan residents and Canberrans alike are hoping Mr Stuart, the coach of the Canberra Raiders, will be busy with his team on the official opening day.

However, Queanbeyan Arts Society president Barry Cranston said if possible, Mr Stuart would try to make the opening which would be attended by a number of guests of honour.

“Depending on Ricky Stuart’s commitment with the football, he is desperately trying to get there as well.” Mr Cranston said while it was a Queanbeyan initiative, the idea was to take it to the masses.

“We held it for the first two years at the gallery and we didn’t sell as well as what we do in Canberra. We’d be pleased to hold it in Queanbeyan if we had that many people going through our exhibition every day, but its very successful in Canberra.”

The show is open to all artists, not just those affiliated with the society, and has seen a jump in quality year after year.

“The improvement in the artworks has been enormous over the years,” Mr Cranston said. He said with works coming from across New South Wales, the south coast and the ACT, visitors could expect to see a huge variety of quality work on offer, and all for a great cause.

More than 400 works are expected to be on display over the course of the exhibition. Among them, four guest artists - Grahame Charlton, Georgina Poulos, Vivien Pinder and Leigh Murray - would be showcased

Added entertainment will include a performance by the Sing Australia choir from 12.30pm on the opening day.

Mr Cranston said the Arts Society was small but dedicated group that worked hard to create the Spring Art Show in the city each year.