The Commemorative Councillor Ruth Amery Award recognises an enthusiasm and dedication that was cut short when Cr Amery died suddenly in 2017.

To be presented in June as part of the Biennial Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award, it is a highly commended (non-acquisitive) honour of $2500.

Wangaratta Council and Wangaratta Art Gallery announced the commemoration on Friday.

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Elected to the council in 2016, Cr Amery took on the arts, culture and heritage portfolio.

"She was a strong advocate for the work undertaken at the Wangaratta Art Gallery, in particular the contemporary textile award, and immersed herself in understanding the difference art and culture can make to people's lives," the council said at the time of her death.

Councillor Ken Clarke said yesterday the award would help acknowledge Cr Amery's time as a councillor, her love of colourful outfits and her technical excellence as a dress maker.

"Ruth had been a family friend of mine for a long, long. time and she was very much into the arts," he said.

"Some of the colours she came to council meetings and committee meetings in, all hand knitted and hand crafted, and council saw this (award) as a way of recognising her talents and her desire to see arts come forward in Wangaratta."

The award will be open to the finalists that qualify and are presented in the Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award exhibition.

Finalists will be judged for the additional award for innovation in technical excellence in the delivery of the textile craft and/or chosen medium.

The judges will include a member or representatives of the Amery family alongside a councillor representative and the Wangaratta Art Gallery director.

"This award is council's commitment to honouring Ruth's time and the dedication that Ruth held as a councillor to our community," Cr Clarke said.

"It is an ongoing award that will encourage and support this event in years to come."

The gallery has received an increased number of entries this year, with the exhibition to open on June 1 and continue until August 11.

Both the main acquisitive award of $10,000 and the Ruth Amery Award will be announced on the first day.

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