The finalists were announced on Monday and are in the running for the $15,000 acquisitive prize by the Trawalla Foundation, the $3000 Bell Bay Aluminium People's Choice Award and the $1500 Zonta Emerging Artist prize.

The artists include Diane Allison, Kelly Austin, Andrea Barker, Erin Brandall, Karin Chan, Selena de Carvalho, Kylie Elkington, Abigail Giblin, Jane Giblin, Elaine Green, Rosie Hastie, Eloise Kirk, Nancy Mauro-Flude, Shauna Mayben, Mish Meijers, Georgia Morgan, Anne Morrison, Eva Nilssen, Nicole Robson, Kelly Marie Slater, Georgia Spain, Gabbee Stolp, Cassie Sullivan, Meg Walch and Molly Woof.

The state's only female art competition was relaunched in 2018 and for its fourth year the judges panel was made up of Tasmanian arts sector professionals including 2020 winner, artist, photographer and founding member of Lumina Collection Sarah Rhodes, alongside Kylie Johnson and Tracy Puklowski.

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Ms Johnson, the curator of Contemporary Art Tasmania, said it was a really interesting process to see the breadth of all the art submitted.

She said the finalists ranged from early career artists to more established artists in the same pool.

"It's never any easy thing to shortlist, but I really enjoyed the process because we really got into the breath of practice and it's a really solid final hang," she said.

"It's really important to be hung in these shows, this is good for artists CVs but also their exposure.

"It's quite diverse and also the styles of work, so I mean that's one of the challenging things with prizes to look at all the art on its merits."

Some of the more established artists named as finalists include Anne Morrison, who won the major prize in 2019 with her work The Crossing, Meg Walch, whose work has been exhibited around Australia and in the United States, and has had international residencies, and Mish Meijers, who has exhibited around the country and in New York, Indonesia and Paris alongside international residencies.

Ms Puklowski, the creative arts and cultural services general manager and director of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Galley, said it was important for women to have a forum to share their unique stories and impressions.

"The standard was incredibly high, with a huge diversity of works and a significant range of different media, which was really, really enjoyable to see," she said.

"You'll be seeing sculpture, you will be seeing ceramic pieces, you'll be seeing photographic work and the full range of artistic expression, basically.

"This prize attracts entry level artists, as well it attracts artists from right across the gamut of experience, and it's a really important shot in the arm for people who want to continue with their artistic practice.

"For emerging artists, it gives them the credibility and, and I guess that vote of support, which is really important."

The three prize winners will be announced at the opening of the exhibition at Burnie's Maker's Space Gallery on June 10 with $19,500 of prize money on offer.

The exhibition will remain at the Makers' Space Gallery from June 11 to July 25, before moving to The Barn at Rosny Farm from October 8 to 31.

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