Aspiring artists under the age of 18 have submitted their creations of someone they admire and Warrnambool Art Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans is delighted with the competition pool.

"We are thrilled with the number of entries and it's really wonderful to see so many budding artists within the south-west community," she said.

"It's been lovey reading the subject descriptions, one of our entrants Annabelle is only eight, and hers says 'I love my mum. She is kind and nice and caring. And she loves cats. And she inspires me because she can print pictures for me. She prints food pictures'."

Sibling duo Sinead and Liam Murphy will judge the junior competition and announce the winners on July 12.

The Warrnibald is a non-acquisitive open-entry portraiture exhibition and art prize jointly ran by WDEA Works and the WAG with entries closing on July 11.

WDEA Works director of social enterprise Jack Melican feels the junior Warrnibald will give the local community a much needed morale-boost.

"I'm looking forward to seeing this year's Warrnibald entries. It's been a tough six months for our community and I think the need to celebrate the people who make our community so wonderful," he said.

"It's now more important than ever."

All entries are on display via thewag.com.au/junior-warrnibald-gallery