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Annual Art Awards – Emerald

  • The awards

    The Central Highlands Regional Council Annual Art Awards – Emerald is the gallery’s premier art event. It attracts local and national artists and is held in August each year as part of council’s Arts around August program.

    Established and emerging artists of all ages can submit entries in up to seven categories. From easel, paper-based and three-dimensional works to photography and digital art, each category comes with a $750 prize for first and $250 prize for second place.

    Each year, judges award the prestigious Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award to the most outstanding work from all categories and recognise local talent with the Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award.

    This year we are celebrating up-and-coming artists of all ages with the introduction of a new junior category for artists aged 12 years and under.

    In style of an evening at the gallery, the awards night and exhibition opening has become a popular event in the Central Highlands social calendar. Artists and guests mingle over wine and platters, while nominating their favourite artwork for the People’s Choice Award.

     

  • Award categories

    Category one | Easel-based works

    Artworks can be any medium, including mixed media, acrylic, oil, collage, print and more. Artworks should be on a non-paper-based support.

    First Prize $750

    Second Prize $250


    Category two | Works on paper

    Artworks can be any medium, including drawing, watercolour, collage, mixed media, printmaking and more. Artworks must be on a paper-based support.

    First Prize $750

    Second Prize $250


    Category three | Three-dimensional and fibre works

    Artworks can be freestanding or wall hung and include pottery, sculpture, maquettes, carving, assemblage, timber, metal, stone, plastic, fibre, mosaics and more.

    First Prize $750

    Second Prize $250


    Category four | Photography

    Non-manipulated photography.

    First Prize $750

    Second Prize $250


    Category five | Digital art

    Digital art and manipulated photography (no film).

    First Prize $750

    Second Prize $250


    Category six

    Youth 13-18 years (any medium)

    First Prize $150

    Second Prize: $50


    Category seven

    Junior 12 years and under (any medium)

    First Prize $150

    Second Prize: $50

  • Judges' awards

    Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

    Selected by judges, the Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award is open to any entries in categories one to five. It comes with a $4,000 prize.


    Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

    Selected by judges, the Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award is open to any entries in categories one to five by artists who live in the Central Highlands region. It comes with a $500 prize (non-acquisitive).


    People’s Choice Award

    Voted by an online poll open for two weeks from opening night, the People’s Choice Award comes with a $250 prize.

  • Key dates
    DateDescription
    5.00pm Friday 14 July 2023Entries close
    Friday 28 July 2023Final artwork delivery
    6.00pm Saturday 5 August 2023Official opening & awards presentation
    Mon 7 August - Thurs 14 September 2023Exhibition open
    Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm
    Sat 5 August - 20 August 2023People’s Choice Votes open via Have your say
    Friday 15 September & Monday 18 September 2023Artwork collection
  • Entry forms and terms and conditions
  • 2022 Winners

    Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

    Jet James “Tipping Point”

    Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

    Loretta Horn “Muse”

    People’s Choice Award

    Natasha Jurd “Trapped”

    Category 1 Winners (Easel Based works)

    First prize

    Lyn Laver-Ahmat “Minerva Hills”

    Second Prize

    Joanne Kerr “Coal Train”

    Highly Commended

    Sharon Kirk “Finding Myself in the Landscape”

    Ainslie McMahon “Delight of the Gum Forest”

    Category 2 Winners (Works on Paper)

    First prize

    Helen Chivers “Cloud Dreaming”

    Second Prize

    Rolf Bottenbruch “On the Hunt”

    Highly Commended

    Tara Lewis “Mr Cheeky”

    Ainslie McMahon “Horses for India”

    Michelle Bradshaw “Shadowing Ancestors”

    Category 3 Winners (3D Works)

    First prize

    Michelle Gray & Raelene Bock “Rich Harve$t”

    Second Prize

    Hugo Spooner “Together as One”

    Highly Commended

    Gai Sypher “Home Among the Gum Trees”

    Carol Forster “Udu Drum”

    Category 4 Winners (Photography)

    First prize

    Sandra Ryan “Tegan”

    Second Prize

    Tricia Godwin “Following the Road”

    Highly Commended

    Karen Galea “In the Shed”

    Category 5 Winners (Digital Art)

    First Prize

    Natasha Jurd “Trapped”

    Second Prize

    Jemma Isherwood “Self Reformation”

    Highly Commended

    Natasha Jurd “Innocent”

    Category 6 Winners (Youth 13-18 years)

    First Prize

    Meisha Greentree “Postcards from the Past”

    Second Prize

    Stella Nyman “Love is in the Air”

    Highly Commended

    Will Strong “The Strange Lands”

    Hannah Atkinson “Am I an Animal?”

    Category 7 Winners (12 years & under)

    First Prize

    Annabelle Dunne (10) “Newt & Tina”

    Second Prize

    Tavenor Stewart (9) “Blackdown Tablelands”

    Highly Commended

    Bridgette Dunne (9) “Hank Loses”

  • 2021 winners

    Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

    “Too Much on her Plate” by Jemma Isherwood

    Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

    “Growing Free” by Heather Wehl

    Winner of the People’s Choice Award 2021 

    “Incandescence” by Raelene Bock & Michelle Gray

    Category 1 Winners (Easel Based works)

    First prize

    “A Sensory Place”  by Ainslie McMahon

    Second prize

    “Dry Brush Gully, Rubyvale” by Maxine Wild

    Highly commended

    “Mangroves / High Tide” by Elena Churilova

    Puppy Puddle by “Loretta Horn”  

    “Red Road” by Carmen Beezley-Drake

    Category 2 Winners (Works on Paper)

    First prize

    Old Andado Station by  Andrea Chapman

    Second prize

    “Blackdown Tablelands” by Elena Churilova

    Category 3 Winners (3D Works)

    First prize

    “After the Bushfire” by Carol Forster

    Second prize

    “Tender Beauty” by Sarah Larsen

    Category 4 Winners (Photography)

    First prize

    “Coven” by Jemma Isherwood

    Second prize

    “Misty Morn” by Sandra Ryan

    Category 5 Winners (Digital Art)

    First prize

    There was an Old Woman by Sandra Ryan

    Second prize

    Old Brown Horse by Sandra Ryan

    Category 6 Winners (Youth 13-17 yrs)

    First prize

    Californian Car by Meisha Greentree

    Second prize

    “Are you Satisfied Where you are?” by Joshua O’Donnell

    Highly commended

    “Peony ” by Gracie Gersbach

    Category 7 Winners (Junior – under 12 yrs) 

    First prize

    “Hooples” by Couper Collis

    Second prize

    “Pink Cockatoo” by Joseph Murree

    Highly Commended

    “Someone Who Helps” by Abigail McBurney

    “Highland Cow” by Hunter Gersbach

    “Crocy Croc” by Cobi Hawkins 

    “Barbwire Emu Chick” by Cobi Hawkins

    “Bright and Early” by Brenton Chick

  • 2020 Winners

    Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award 

    ‘Breaking News’ by Jemma Ryan

    Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award 

    ‘Goondoye Love’ by Janine Hill 

     

     

     

    Margaret Gibson Youth Award 

    ‘One’s Own’ by Lucy Thommason 

     

     

     

    People’s Choice Award 

    ‘Girl in the Rain’ by Michelle Gray and Raelene Bock

     

     

     

     


    Category 1 – Easel based works – any medium 

    First prize 

    ‘Focus on the Light’ by Catherine Boreham

     

     

     

     

    Second prize 

    ‘A Pair of Galahs’ by Randelle McClure 

     

     

     

     

    Highly commended 

    ‘Above the Crowd (Emergent Leaders) by Elena Churilova 

     

     

     


    Category 2 – Works on paper 

    First prize 

    ‘I See You Too!’ by Randelle McClure 

     

     

     

     

    Second prize 

    ‘Cooee Bay’ by Jet James 

     

     

     


    Category 3 – 3D Works 

    First prize 

    ‘Girl in the Rain’ by Michelle Gray and Raelene Bock 

     

     

     

     

    Second prize 

    ‘Gasco Sign’ by Jeff Bowerman 

     

     

     


    Category 4 – Photography 

    First prize 

    ‘Western Storm’ by Tricia Godwin 

     

     

     

     

    Second prize 

    ‘Twilight on Water’ by Glen Wright 

     

     

     


    Category 5 – Digital art 

    First prize 

    ‘Narnia’ by Jemma Ryan 

     

     

     

     

    Second prize 

    ‘What Lies Beneath’ by Glen Wright 

  • 2019 Winners

     

    Category One (Easel-based works)

    • First: Elena Churilova, Back to Nature
    • Second: Sandra Biggin, Spring’s Glory
    •  Highly commended: Garry Andrews, Mt Ball Central QLD
    Category Five (Digital art)

    • First: Glen Wright, Blue Door
    • Second: Glen Wright, Ebb and Flow
    Category Two (Works on paper)

    • First: Jet James, The Gift
    • Second: Shona Nicholls, Sunrise with Magpies
    • Highly commended: Joanne Kerr, Sepia Landscape
    Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

    • Andrea Chapman, It’s About Time

     

    Category Three (3D works)

    • First: Lachlan Grierson, Industrial Protea Lamp
    • Second: Raelene Bock and Michelle Gray, Perpetual Abundance
    • Highly commended: Leonie Geary, Beachcomber coffee table
    Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

    • Lachlan Grierson, Industrial Protea Lamp

     

    Category Four (Photography)

    • First: Pam Bartlett-Munt, Ataahua Awaawa (Beautiful Valley)
    • Second: Jemma Ryan, Facing the Storms
    • Highly commended: Karen Galea, Hell on the Freeway
    Margaret Gibson Youth Award

    • Beau Ingram, Skogafoss Waterfall

The Central Highlands Regional Council Annual Art Awards – Emerald is the gallery’s premier art event. It attracts local and national artists and is held in August each year as part of council’s Arts around August program.

Established and emerging artists of all ages can submit entries in up to seven categories. From easel, paper-based and three-dimensional works to photography and digital art, each category comes with a $750 prize for first and $250 prize for second place.

Each year, judges award the prestigious Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award to the most outstanding work from all categories and recognise local talent with the Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award.

This year we are celebrating up-and-coming artists of all ages with the introduction of a new junior category for artists aged 12 years and under.

In style of an evening at the gallery, the awards night and exhibition opening has become a popular event in the Central Highlands social calendar. Artists and guests mingle over wine and platters, while nominating their favourite artwork for the People’s Choice Award.

 

Category one | Easel-based works

Artworks can be any medium, including mixed media, acrylic, oil, collage, print and more. Artworks should be on a non-paper-based support.

First Prize $750

Second Prize $250


Category two | Works on paper

Artworks can be any medium, including drawing, watercolour, collage, mixed media, printmaking and more. Artworks must be on a paper-based support.

First Prize $750

Second Prize $250


Category three | Three-dimensional and fibre works

Artworks can be freestanding or wall hung and include pottery, sculpture, maquettes, carving, assemblage, timber, metal, stone, plastic, fibre, mosaics and more.

First Prize $750

Second Prize $250


Category four | Photography

Non-manipulated photography.

First Prize $750

Second Prize $250


Category five | Digital art

Digital art and manipulated photography (no film).

First Prize $750

Second Prize $250


Category six

Youth 13-18 years (any medium)

First Prize $150

Second Prize: $50


Category seven

Junior 12 years and under (any medium)

First Prize $150

Second Prize: $50

Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

Selected by judges, the Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award is open to any entries in categories one to five. It comes with a $4,000 prize.


Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

Selected by judges, the Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award is open to any entries in categories one to five by artists who live in the Central Highlands region. It comes with a $500 prize (non-acquisitive).


People’s Choice Award

Voted by an online poll open for two weeks from opening night, the People’s Choice Award comes with a $250 prize.

DateDescription
5.00pm Friday 14 July 2023Entries close
Friday 28 July 2023Final artwork delivery
6.00pm Saturday 5 August 2023Official opening & awards presentation
Mon 7 August - Thurs 14 September 2023Exhibition open
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm
Sat 5 August - 20 August 2023People’s Choice Votes open via Have your say
Friday 15 September & Monday 18 September 2023Artwork collection

Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

Jet James “Tipping Point”

Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

Loretta Horn “Muse”

People’s Choice Award

Natasha Jurd “Trapped”

Category 1 Winners (Easel Based works)

First prize

Lyn Laver-Ahmat “Minerva Hills”

Second Prize

Joanne Kerr “Coal Train”

Highly Commended

Sharon Kirk “Finding Myself in the Landscape”

Ainslie McMahon “Delight of the Gum Forest”

Category 2 Winners (Works on Paper)

First prize

Helen Chivers “Cloud Dreaming”

Second Prize

Rolf Bottenbruch “On the Hunt”

Highly Commended

Tara Lewis “Mr Cheeky”

Ainslie McMahon “Horses for India”

Michelle Bradshaw “Shadowing Ancestors”

Category 3 Winners (3D Works)

First prize

Michelle Gray & Raelene Bock “Rich Harve$t”

Second Prize

Hugo Spooner “Together as One”

Highly Commended

Gai Sypher “Home Among the Gum Trees”

Carol Forster “Udu Drum”

Category 4 Winners (Photography)

First prize

Sandra Ryan “Tegan”

Second Prize

Tricia Godwin “Following the Road”

Highly Commended

Karen Galea “In the Shed”

Category 5 Winners (Digital Art)

First Prize

Natasha Jurd “Trapped”

Second Prize

Jemma Isherwood “Self Reformation”

Highly Commended

Natasha Jurd “Innocent”

Category 6 Winners (Youth 13-18 years)

First Prize

Meisha Greentree “Postcards from the Past”

Second Prize

Stella Nyman “Love is in the Air”

Highly Commended

Will Strong “The Strange Lands”

Hannah Atkinson “Am I an Animal?”

Category 7 Winners (12 years & under)

First Prize

Annabelle Dunne (10) “Newt & Tina”

Second Prize

Tavenor Stewart (9) “Blackdown Tablelands”

Highly Commended

Bridgette Dunne (9) “Hank Loses”

Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

“Too Much on her Plate” by Jemma Isherwood

Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

“Growing Free” by Heather Wehl

Winner of the People’s Choice Award 2021 

“Incandescence” by Raelene Bock & Michelle Gray

Category 1 Winners (Easel Based works)

First prize

“A Sensory Place”  by Ainslie McMahon

Second prize

“Dry Brush Gully, Rubyvale” by Maxine Wild

Highly commended

“Mangroves / High Tide” by Elena Churilova

Puppy Puddle by “Loretta Horn”  

“Red Road” by Carmen Beezley-Drake

Category 2 Winners (Works on Paper)

First prize

Old Andado Station by  Andrea Chapman

Second prize

“Blackdown Tablelands” by Elena Churilova

Category 3 Winners (3D Works)

First prize

“After the Bushfire” by Carol Forster

Second prize

“Tender Beauty” by Sarah Larsen

Category 4 Winners (Photography)

First prize

“Coven” by Jemma Isherwood

Second prize

“Misty Morn” by Sandra Ryan

Category 5 Winners (Digital Art)

First prize

There was an Old Woman by Sandra Ryan

Second prize

Old Brown Horse by Sandra Ryan

Category 6 Winners (Youth 13-17 yrs)

First prize

Californian Car by Meisha Greentree

Second prize

“Are you Satisfied Where you are?” by Joshua O’Donnell

Highly commended

“Peony ” by Gracie Gersbach

Category 7 Winners (Junior – under 12 yrs) 

First prize

“Hooples” by Couper Collis

Second prize

“Pink Cockatoo” by Joseph Murree

Highly Commended

“Someone Who Helps” by Abigail McBurney

“Highland Cow” by Hunter Gersbach

“Crocy Croc” by Cobi Hawkins 

“Barbwire Emu Chick” by Cobi Hawkins

“Bright and Early” by Brenton Chick

Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award 

‘Breaking News’ by Jemma Ryan

Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award 

‘Goondoye Love’ by Janine Hill 

 

 

 

Margaret Gibson Youth Award 

‘One’s Own’ by Lucy Thommason 

 

 

 

People’s Choice Award 

‘Girl in the Rain’ by Michelle Gray and Raelene Bock

 

 

 

 


Category 1 – Easel based works – any medium 

First prize 

‘Focus on the Light’ by Catherine Boreham

 

 

 

 

Second prize 

‘A Pair of Galahs’ by Randelle McClure 

 

 

 

 

Highly commended 

‘Above the Crowd (Emergent Leaders) by Elena Churilova 

 

 

 


Category 2 – Works on paper 

First prize 

‘I See You Too!’ by Randelle McClure 

 

 

 

 

Second prize 

‘Cooee Bay’ by Jet James 

 

 

 


Category 3 – 3D Works 

First prize 

‘Girl in the Rain’ by Michelle Gray and Raelene Bock 

 

 

 

 

Second prize 

‘Gasco Sign’ by Jeff Bowerman 

 

 

 


Category 4 – Photography 

First prize 

‘Western Storm’ by Tricia Godwin 

 

 

 

 

Second prize 

‘Twilight on Water’ by Glen Wright 

 

 

 


Category 5 – Digital art 

First prize 

‘Narnia’ by Jemma Ryan 

 

 

 

 

Second prize 

‘What Lies Beneath’ by Glen Wright 

 

Category One (Easel-based works)

  • First: Elena Churilova, Back to Nature
  • Second: Sandra Biggin, Spring’s Glory
  •  Highly commended: Garry Andrews, Mt Ball Central QLD
Category Five (Digital art)

  • First: Glen Wright, Blue Door
  • Second: Glen Wright, Ebb and Flow
Category Two (Works on paper)

  • First: Jet James, The Gift
  • Second: Shona Nicholls, Sunrise with Magpies
  • Highly commended: Joanne Kerr, Sepia Landscape
Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award

  • Andrea Chapman, It’s About Time

 

Category Three (3D works)

  • First: Lachlan Grierson, Industrial Protea Lamp
  • Second: Raelene Bock and Michelle Gray, Perpetual Abundance
  • Highly commended: Leonie Geary, Beachcomber coffee table
Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award

  • Lachlan Grierson, Industrial Protea Lamp

 

Category Four (Photography)

  • First: Pam Bartlett-Munt, Ataahua Awaawa (Beautiful Valley)
  • Second: Jemma Ryan, Facing the Storms
  • Highly commended: Karen Galea, Hell on the Freeway
Margaret Gibson Youth Award

  • Beau Ingram, Skogafoss Waterfall

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