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.
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
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
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
Non-manipulated photography.
First Prize $750
Second Prize $250
Digital art and manipulated photography (no film).
First Prize $750
Second Prize $250
Youth 13-18 years (any medium)
First Prize $150
Second Prize: $50
Junior 12 years and under (any medium)
First Prize $150
Second Prize: $50
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.
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).
Voted by an online poll open for two weeks from opening night, the People’s Choice Award comes with a $250 prize.
Date | Description |
---|---|
5.00pm Friday 14 July 2023 | Entries close |
Friday 28 July 2023 | Final artwork delivery |
6.00pm Saturday 5 August 2023 | Official opening & awards presentation |
Mon 7 August - Thurs 14 September 2023 | Exhibition open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm |
Sat 5 August - 20 August 2023 | People’s Choice Votes open via Have your say |
Friday 15 September & Monday 18 September 2023 | Artwork collection |
Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award
Jet James “Tipping Point”
Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award
Loretta Horn “Muse”
People’s Choice Award
Natasha Jurd “Trapped”
Category 1 Winners (Easel Based works)
First prize
Lyn Laver-Ahmat “Minerva Hills”
Second Prize
Joanne Kerr “Coal Train”
Highly Commended
Sharon Kirk “Finding Myself in the Landscape”
Ainslie McMahon “Delight of the Gum Forest”
Category 2 Winners (Works on Paper)
First prize
Helen Chivers “Cloud Dreaming”
Second Prize
Rolf Bottenbruch “On the Hunt”
Highly Commended
Tara Lewis “Mr Cheeky”
Ainslie McMahon “Horses for India”
Michelle Bradshaw “Shadowing Ancestors”
Category 3 Winners (3D Works)
First prize
Michelle Gray & Raelene Bock “Rich Harve$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)
|
Category Five (Digital art)
|
Category Two (Works on paper)
|
Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award
|
Category Three (3D works)
|
Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award
|
Category Four (Photography)
|
Margaret Gibson Youth Award
|
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.
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
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
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
Non-manipulated photography.
First Prize $750
Second Prize $250
Digital art and manipulated photography (no film).
First Prize $750
Second Prize $250
Youth 13-18 years (any medium)
First Prize $150
Second Prize: $50
Junior 12 years and under (any medium)
First Prize $150
Second Prize: $50
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.
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).
Voted by an online poll open for two weeks from opening night, the People’s Choice Award comes with a $250 prize.
Date | Description |
---|---|
5.00pm Friday 14 July 2023 | Entries close |
Friday 28 July 2023 | Final artwork delivery |
6.00pm Saturday 5 August 2023 | Official opening & awards presentation |
Mon 7 August - Thurs 14 September 2023 | Exhibition open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm |
Sat 5 August - 20 August 2023 | People’s Choice Votes open via Have your say |
Friday 15 September & Monday 18 September 2023 | Artwork collection |
Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award
Jet James “Tipping Point”
Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award
Loretta Horn “Muse”
People’s Choice Award
Natasha Jurd “Trapped”
Category 1 Winners (Easel Based works)
First prize
Lyn Laver-Ahmat “Minerva Hills”
Second Prize
Joanne Kerr “Coal Train”
Highly Commended
Sharon Kirk “Finding Myself in the Landscape”
Ainslie McMahon “Delight of the Gum Forest”
Category 2 Winners (Works on Paper)
First prize
Helen Chivers “Cloud Dreaming”
Second Prize
Rolf Bottenbruch “On the Hunt”
Highly Commended
Tara Lewis “Mr Cheeky”
Ainslie McMahon “Horses for India”
Michelle Bradshaw “Shadowing Ancestors”
Category 3 Winners (3D Works)
First prize
Michelle Gray & Raelene Bock “Rich Harve$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)
|
Category Five (Digital art)
|
Category Two (Works on paper)
|
Central Highlands Regional Council Acquisitive Award
|
Category Three (3D works)
|
Central Highlands Regional Council Local Artist Award
|
Category Four (Photography)
|
Margaret Gibson Youth Award
|
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