The ninth running of the Blarney Books & Art exhibition has been tweaked so artists can choose any book as inspiration, instead of selecting a vintage book from a wheelbarrow at the shop. 

Blarney Books & Art owner Jo Canham said the change in inspiration would allow artists to celebrate their favourite books, and removed the need for her to mail books out to participants.

The books also no longer have to be incorporated in the artwork, which Canham said hopefully opened the exhibition up to artists working in 3D mediums such as sculpture or glass. 

The top prize has also been raised from $1500 to $2000, with other prizes also up for grabs. 

Canham said last year’s exhibition attracted about 180 entries from around Australia, with a panel of judges selecting 70 for the final display.

She said entry numbers had risen as word of the exhibition had spread through social media.

Entries close at the end of May and the exhibition opens in June over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Contact Blarney Books for more details.