Owners Lisa and Trevor Bendeich have created a competition called Imagination Box in order to promote art and creativity throughout the Hunter. 

“Usually our competitions are more for artists, but we thought it would be great to do one for the whole community,” Mrs Bendeich says.

Covering towns from as far as Murrurundi through to Newcastle, the competition costs $15, which contributes to the total prizemoney.

“The entry fee is only small, but what’s great is that it all goes back into the community as the prizemoney,” Mrs Bendeich says.

The competition is open to individuals, families and teams, and the Imagination Box can be decorated in accordance to any of the three themes – art related, story book and movies.

“We decided to make it three themes, so the Imagination Box was more open to everyone, both young and old,” the couple agrees.

“Story book was a subject we thought would be great for kids because they usually participate in Book Week at school.”

But it’s not just creativity the hard-working duo is trying to promote.

“Technology seems to take up a lot of time in today’s world and I don’t think many people have quality family time anymore,” Mrs Bendeich says.

“We want this competition to encourage quality time with family and friends.

“It’s an opportunity to sit down together and do something.”

Each box contains the same content, however it remains a secret until they are available for pick up, with Mrs and Mr Bendeich keeping tight-lipped.

“I’ll say that there is a big variety in each of them and I think everyone will be very pleased with what’s inside the Imagination Box because it’s great value for money,” she said.

“One of my friends told me the competition was like a story in a box – and it is.

“Everyone has the same content, but they can choose their story.”

On February 8, Mr Bendeich will deliver boxes purchased to Murrurundi, Scone, Aberdeen and Muswellbrook and, on February 9, he will be in Dungog, Maitland and Newcastle.

Names will be kept confidential, with numbers being used as identification.

The pair plans to split the prizemoney into six parts, with each of the three judges picking two winners each. 

“If we sell the 300 boxes we have, that’s a total prize of $4500,” Mrs Bendeich says.

“If you divide that by six, that’s $750 for each winner.

“That’s a great prize.”

Rules and regulations can be accessed on That Little Art Place’s Facebook page and an exhibition will be held at the Singleton Library on March 5.