Kicking-off with the Milton Gallery walk at 6pm on Thursday, October 10, this year promises to be as fun as ever for locals and visitors alike, celebrating the South Coast's creative community and encouraging all ages to join in the festival atmosphere.

Highlights include:

The Milton Muse on Friday, October 11, from 6pm to 9pm, at Harvest Bar, Milton.

The Artists' Talk; An afternoon of laughter and insights as Sally Seltmann, Fernanda O'Connell and Andrew Antoniou talk about art, music and life, hosted by Bernard Zuel on Saturday, October 12, 4pm to 5.30pm at Bannisters Pavilion, Mollymook.

The Escape ARTfest Art Market: Saturday, October 12, from 10am at the Civic Centre and Café, Ulladulla.

READ MORE: Two prizes announced as Escape ARTfest returns this October

The event has expanded this year to include two art prizes: the inaugural Escape ARTfest Prize AND the Emerging Artist Art Prize.

Open to all Australian artists over the age of 18, the Escape ARTfest Prize awards $4,000 to the winning entry.

Art work must be in two-dimensional media.

Works will be judged by an independent panel and awarded by the judges' decision on the best portrayal of this year's ARTfest theme, When the Mountains Meet the SEA.

In addition, there will be an Emerging Artist Art Prize.

It will also will be judged by an independent panel and awarded by the judges' decision on the best portrayal of this year's event theme.

This art prize is designed to encourage inspiring artists of any age, who have not yet exhibited their work professionally, a committee member said.

The winning entrant of the Emerging Artist Art Prize will be awarded the amount of $1,000.

A selection of works will be exhibited from October until October 13 2019 during the Escape ARTfest. Admission to the exhibition will be free.

Entry forms and the full terms and conditions are available on the Escape ARTfest website at www.escapeartfest.com.au/artprize.