Small Works Art Prize
6 January - 19 January 2024
Brunswick Street Gallery, Level 1 & 2, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC
Brunswick Street Gallery’s annual Small Works Art Prize is an open call art prize featuring works no larger than 35x35x35cm.
Attracting thousands of visitors and featuring over 600 artworks by hundreds of artists of all experience levels and styles, Small Works Art Prize gives our local and extended creative community the opportunity to exhibit in a prize show context amongst peers.
Passage of Time
14 November – 26 November 2023
Clifton School of Arts
338 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Clifton, NSW
Join 20 Illawarra Artists as they showcase a diverse range of contemporary art including paintings, photography, sculpture, prints and mixed media at the historical Clifton School of Arts.
The Agency Still Life Prize
29 July - 13 August 2023
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
This wonderful annual still life exhibition forms one of the jewels in the crown of the Bowral Art Gallery Calendar. Join us to enjoy the works from both local artists and artists from across the state, who may be emerging or acclaimed.
Affordable Art Fair - Sydney
15 - 18 June 2023
Randwick Racecourse, NSW
Represented by Bluethumb Gallery.
Nosila Portrait Prize
7 - 18 June 2023
Nosila Gallery, Wollongong NSW
Inaugural portrait painting prize in Wollongong showcasing local artists.
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
2 - 4 June 2023
Thirroul District Community Center & Library,
352 - 360 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW
The Thirroul Seaside arts festival is a week long celebration of the arts and seaside activities that reflect the community interest and way of life. The Art competition showcases the best of emerging and established artists in mixed styles from sculpture on the beach to paintings in the library.
Reach
31 May – 24 June 2023
Gallery Lane Cove
Upper level, 164 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW
Reach - A group art exhibition from IAVA - Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts. I will be facilitating a panel discussion on 'Does thinking about Contemporary Art make you dizzy?'
International Women's Day Art Exhibition
29 February - 19 March 2023
Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong NSW
International Women's Day Art Exhibition celebrates female artists from the local Illawarra region. Responding to the theme ‘Embrace Equity’, thirty-two local artists have created a range of artwork that embraces women's equality.
Still Life Painting Prize
8 - 26 February 2023
Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong NSW
Second annual still life painting prize, an exhibition of exceptional still life paintings.
Small Works Art Prize
7 January - 20 January 2023
Brunswick Street Gallery, Level 1 & 2, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC
Brunswick Street Gallery’s annual Small Works Art Prize is an open call art prize featuring works no larger than 35x35x35cm.
Attracting thousands of visitors and featuring over 600 artworks by hundreds of artists of all experience levels and styles, Small Works Art Prize gives our local and extended creative community the opportunity to exhibit in a prize show context amongst peers.
ACB Selects
1 December 2022 - 28 January 2023
Online - https://nationalemergingartprize.com.au/finalists/acb-selects-2022/
Part of the National Emerging Art Prize, ACB Selects is an online exhibition curated by Amber Creswell Bell of Michael Reid Galleries.
Travelling On
22 November – 2 December 2022
Clifton School of Arts
338 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Clifton, NSW
Join 27 Illawarra Artists as they showcase a diverse range of contemporary art including paintings, photography, sculpture, prints and mixed media at the historical Clifton School of Arts.
Brisbane Portrait Prize
29 September – 30 October 2022
Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington St, New Farm QLD
The Brisbane Portrait Prize is a new and distinctive cultural offering for Brisbane, with a $50,000 first prize (the Lord Mayor’s Prize), showcasing the best in contemporary portraiture and celebrating the character of the city and those who make it what it is.
Copes Family Portrait Prize
17 September – 3 October 2022
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Bowral Art Gallery is once again proud to host this stunning exhibition, and would like to thank our generous sponsors, Tim and Patricia Copes for providing the prize money. Judged by Evan Shipard and Kim Shannon, this bi-annual exhibition of portraiture will feature works of many artists both local and interstate.
National Capital Art Prize
22 September - 12 October 2022
Fitters’ Workshop, Printers Way, Kingston ACT 2604
The annual National Capital Art Prize is the first Australia-wide competition for artworks of any subject. The annual competition offers an exciting platform for Australian artists of all genres, ages and level of experience.
DIVERGENCE GROUP EXHIBITION
11 - 16 August 2022
m2 Gallery, 4/50 Elizabeth Stree, Surry Hills NSW
DIVERGENCE is an exhibition by the Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts with eighteen artists contributing and celebrating the diversity of their works for the first time in the m2 space. IAVA is the premium group of artists in the Illawarra cultivating and promoting outstanding contemporary art.
The Agency Still Life Prize
16 - 31 July 2022
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
This wonderful annual still life exhibition forms one of the jewels in the crown of the Bowral Art Gallery Calendar. Join us to enjoy the works from both local artists and artists from across the state, who may be emerging or acclaimed. The exhibition this year will be judged by John Boker and Kim Shannon.
SPLASH! Gap Exhibition
20 - 25 May 2022
Old Fire Station Gallery, 40 Shoalhaven Street, Kiama NSW
Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts (IAVA) will be exhibiting works by members in the SPLASH! Gap exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery in Kiama.
Expander - STILL LIFE
11 May – 28 May 2022
Stala Contemporary, Perth WA
A new series of annual group exhibitions known as the Expander series featuring selected represented and invited artists around a different broad theme each exhibition. This second Expander exhibition, Expander - STILL LIFE will feature a diverse collection of invited contemporary artists who explore still life in their practices.
Percival Portrait Painting Prize
22 April – 3 July 2022
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville QLD
The biennial Percival Portrait Painting Prize is North Queensland’s own portrait competition and is held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. Showcasing the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by Australian artists, the competition has presented varied styles and approaches to the contemporary portrait - from abstracted images and cool conceptualism to smooth realism and the energetic aura of thick, impasto oils executed with broad brush and palette knife.
Postcodes From the Edge
Opening: 18 March @ 6.30pm
19 March - 5 June 2022
Wollongong City Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
An art prize and exhibition featuring small format contemporary art works which reflect the Illawarra region through people, places or events. The Prize is open to all artists living with the postcode boundaries of 2508 in the north, 2534 in the south and 2576 in the west. A Wollongong Art Gallery friends event.
International Women's Day Art Exhibition
2 - 20 March 2022
Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong NSW
International Women's Day Art Exhibition celebrates female artists from the local Illawarra region. Responding to the theme ‘Breaking the Bias’, thirty-two local artists have created a range of artwork that embraces women's equality.
TEN - IAVA Anniversary Exhibition
7 - 19 December 2021
Clifton School of the Arts, Clifton NSW
‘TEN’ Celebrates 10 years of IAVA members cultivating and promoting contemporary visual art in the Illawarra.
Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Award
18 - 26 June 2021
Lethbridge Gallery, 136 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
With a first prize of $20 000, the Lethbridge Art Award is open to national and international artists for small-scale artworks up to 61cm (24 inches) in height or width. The Judging is based on three equally evaluated criteria of creativity, originality and skill.
See exhibition here.
Collectors Choice Group Exhibition
Saturday 5 December - Sunday 20 December 2020
Artsite Gallery, 165-167 Salisbury Road (Corner of St Marys Street,) Camperdown Sydney 2050 NSW
With more than 70 new works on exhibition, this years Collector´s Choice is your opportunity to buy from an extraordinary curated exhibition displayed across both galleries of high quality works. Established artists are those who have been acquired by public collections – serious credibility and deserving of respect - making the purchase of work by established Australian artists very affordable compared with international artists of equivalent profile.
Emerging artists are those our experienced curators have identified with a strong consistency and future potential. The often used term, emerging, has nothing to do with chronological age, these artists are simply those yet to be discovered by, and acquired into, public Institutions.
Summer Vibe Group Exhibition
Thursday 3 December - Wednesday 23 December 2020
The Space Gallery, Level 1, 61 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018
A group show featuring artists whose work represents the lightness and happiness of Summer. Enjoy the art of Summer Vibes from Thursday 3rd until Wednesday 23rd December 2020. Opening celebration, please RSVP here and we will send you more information by email.
Uralla Gallery Collection
Uralla Gallery, 80 Bridge Street, Uralla, NSW 2358 and Online Gallery
The Uralla Gallery started with a small collective of artists, but now exhibits artists from all over Australia and is continuously growing. We strive to make art accessible for everyone, both in the physical gallery as well as online. We hope you love our space just as much as we do!
Fisher's Ghost Art Award
Saturday 31 October - Friday 11 December 2020
Campbelltown Art Centre, 1 Art Gallery Road, Campbelltown NSW 2560
The Fisher’s Ghost Art Award is an annual art prize inviting artists to submit works in a variety of artistic categories and mediums. Now in its 58th year, with a total of $36,000 in prize money to be won the Open section is acquisitive to the Campbelltown City Council collection and is valued at $25,000.
Calleen Art Award.
4 October - 15 November 2020
Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW
The Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive art prize that encourages originality and artistic merit established in 1977 by Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM. The winner of the Calleen Art Award will receive $20,000 in prize money made possible by the generosity of the Calleen Trust.
John Copes Portrait Prize
19 September – 11 October 2020
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Bowral Art Gallery is once again proud to host this stunning exhibition, and would like to thank our generous sponsors, Tim and Patricia Copes for providing the prize money. Judged by Ben Quilty, this bi-annual exhibition of portraiture will feature works of many artists both local and interstate.
Kilgour Prize
1 August 2020 – 15 November 2020
Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle NSW
The Kilgour Prize is an annual art prize for figurative and portrait painting that awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art. The Kilgour Prize financed by the Jack Noel Kilgour bequest is administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
This is the third time Melissa Ritchie has been shortlisted for the Kilgour Prize.
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award
27 July - 11 September 2020
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Zingel Place, Bega NSW
The nation’s most loved and richest realistic portrait prize and carrying a $50,000 award, the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is a non-acquisitive prize for realistic portraiture, held biennially at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery.
See exhibition here.
Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Award
18 - 27 June 2020
Lethbridge Gallery, 136 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
With a first prize of $20 000, the Lethbridge Art Award is open to national and international artists for small-scale artworks up to 61cm (24 inches) in height or width. The Judging is based on three equally evaluated criteria of creativity, originality and skill.
See exhibition here.
Percival Portrait Painting Prize
Friday 22 May – Sunday 19 July 2020
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville QLD
Having begun in 2007, The Percivals is an open competition for artists. While showcasing the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by Australian artists, the competition has also given many emerging artists an opportunity to engage with portraiture and share their expressions of themselves and those close to them.
Visit virtual exhibition.
Curio Collateral (Solo Exhibition)
7 November – 1 December 2019
Little Blow Hole Art Bar, 4 Tingira Crescent, Kiama, NSW
Opening: 31 October 2019
Opening hours: Wed & Thurs 5-9pm, Fri & Sat 12-3pm & 5-10pm, Sun 12-6pm.
The items we collect say a lot about who we are, where we’ve come from and where we’re going. Some things are emotionally charged and we treasure them. Others are easily discarded but are unwitting held onto, forgotten. Most will trigger a memory. Melissa Ritchie’s still lifes are a visual feast of icons, brands and symbols, hinting at a narrative. Her realistic oil paintings and drawings showcase collections of curios and clutter, representing a slice in time.
See exhibition catalogue.
Brisbane Portrait Prize
30 September – 31 October 2019
Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington St, New Farm QLD
The Brisbane Portrait Prize is a new and distinctive cultural offering for Brisbane, with a $50,000 first prize (the Lord Mayor’s Prize), showcasing the best in contemporary portraiture and celebrating the character of the city and those who make it what it is.
Out of the Illawarra 2019
6 August – 29 August 2019
Fountain Court Gallery
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW
Opening : Thursday 8th August, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Kilgour Prize
3 August 2019 – 13 October 2019
Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle NSW
The Kilgour Prize is an annual art prize for figurative and portrait painting that awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art. A People’s Choice is also awarded of $5000 to the painting voted most popular by the general public.
The Kilgour Prize financed by the Jack Noel Kilgour bequest is administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
Small Works Art Prize
26 June - 18 July 2019
Brunswick Street Gallery, Level 1 & 2, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC
Brunswick Street Gallery’s annual Small Works Art Prize is an open call art prize featuring works no larger than 35x35x35cm.
Attracting thousands of visitors and featuring over 600 artworks by hundreds of artists of all experience levels and styles, Small Works Art Prize gives our local and extended creative community the opportunity to exhibit in a prize show context amongst peers.
Pirtek Still Life Prize
29 June - 7 July 2019
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Melissa Ritchie - Highly Commended "PEP-O-MINT - Lifesavers on Blue"
This wonderful annual still life exhibition forms one of the jewels in the crown of the Bowral Art Gallery Calendar. Join us to enjoy the works from both local artists and artists from across the state, who may be emerging or acclaimed. The exhibition this year will be judged by renowned still life artist Janine Coddington.
SBS Portrait Prize
Southern Bouy Studios
1/19 Carbine Way, Mornington, VIC 3931
Opening : 27 April 2019
Highly Commended - "Brace Yourself" Melissa Ritchie
Strong Women
1 March - 31 March 2019
Little Blow Hole Art Bar,
4 Tingira Crescent, Kiama, NSW
Opening: 7 March 2019
Strong Women, an Art Bar community project and celebration of women opens on International Women’s Day March 8.
A collective of portraits of strong women by strong women.
Illawarra Locals
3 February - 24 February 2019
Artsite Gallery - 165 Salisbury Road cnr St Marys Street, Camperdown, Sydney NSW
Official Opening: Sunday 3 Feb 3-5pm
Preview and Purchase: Saturday 2 Feb 11-5pm
Illawarra Local is an exhibition of work by nine artists from the Illawarra region selected by emerging artist and curator of Kiama’s Little Blowhole Art Bar, Jamie Cole.
Gitte Backhausen, Catherine Carr, Janine Coddington, Becky Guggisberg, Brigitta Hammell, Melissa Ritchie, Lissa de Sailles, Megan Seres, and Robyn Sharp.
Locals on Board
3 November - 10 February 2019
Wollongong Art Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening : Friday 3 November, 6.30pm
Wollongong Art Gallery invited local artists to participate in this exhibition titled Locals on board. Limited to 198 artists, the exhibition populates the whole of the Level 2 of the Gallery space. Artists have be supplied with a board sizes 60 x 80cm to use for 2D artwork, new media or sculpture.
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award
26 October - 8 December 2018
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Zingel Place, Bega NSW
Opening: 26 October @ 6pm
The nation’s most loved and richest realistic portrait prize and carrying a $50,000 award, the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is a non-acquisitive prize for realistic portraiture, held biennially at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery.
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award
9 November - 1 December 2018
Project Contemporary Artspace - 255 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW
Opening: Friday 9 November
Gallery Open Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
As Australia’s only national Still Life Painting Award, EMSLA is celebrating its twelfth consecutive year with a non-acquisitive First Prize of $20,000.
John Copes Portrait Prize
21 September – 1 October 2018
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Opening : Friday 21 September, 6.30pm
Melissa Ritchie - Highly Commended "The Washing can Wait"
Bowral Art Gallery is once again proud to host this stunning exhibition, and would like to thank our generous sponsors, Tim and Patricia Copes for providing the prize money. Judged by Sally Ryan, this bi-annual exhibition of portraiture will feature works of many artists both local and interstate.
Kangaroo Valley Art Prize
28 September – 1 October 2018
Arts in the Valley - 177 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley, NSW
Opening : Friday 28 September, 6.00pm
The Exhibition will be held in stunning Kangaroo Valley for four days over the long-weekend from 28th September through 1st October. The Kangaroo Valley Art Prize has drawn an outstanding level or artwork from established and emerging artists from a range of local and regional areas. All work exhibited has been curated by Allan Baptist OAM, a noted curator.
Kennedy Prize
7 September – 28 September 2018
Royal South Australian Society of Arts (RSASA) - Adelaide, SA
Opening : Friday 7 September, 6.00pm
The Kennedy Prize is an annual Australian art award of $25,000 for ‘beauty’.
The prize, offered by the Kennedy Arts Foundation, is based and exhibited in Adelaide but open to Australian artists nationwide, and is awarded to works that embody, comment on or celebrate beauty.
IAVA NOW
6 July – 2 September 2018
Wollongong Art Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening : Friday 6 July, 6.00pm
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Strong Women
1 March - 30 March 2018
Little Blow Hole Art Bar,
4 Tingira Crescent, Kiama, NSW
Opening: 8 March 2018
Strong Women, an Art Bar community project and celebration of women opens on International Women’s Day March 8.
A collective of portraits of strong women by strong women.
Portia Geach Memorial Award
20 October – 26 November 2017
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, Sydney NSW
The Portia Geach Memorial Award is Australia's most prestigious art prize for portraiture by female artists.
The Portia Geach Memorial Award was established by the will of the late Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister, Portia Geach. The non-acquisitive award of $30, 000 is awarded by the Trustee for the entry which is of the highest artistic merit, '...for the best portrait painted from life of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, or the Sciences by any female artist resident in Australia during the twelve months preceding the close date for entries.'
Out of the Illawarra 2017
3 August – 27 August 2017
Fountain Court Gallery
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW
Opening : Thursday 3rd August, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
RSVP Required: 28th July (Email: [email protected])
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Feast
Opening: 30 July @ 5.30pm
1 July - 23 July 2017
Belconnen Arts Centre - 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen, ACT
Artists’ Talk Sun July 9 @ 11am
Feast is indulgence, savouring and delectation featuring 11 artists from IAVA – Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts. It’s a greeting from the Illawarra to Canberra and we’re delighted to be occupying the lovely art space on the shores of Lake Ginninderra.
Archibald Prize
16 July - 9 October 2016 Art Gallery NSW
14 October 2016 – 27 November 2016 Art Gallery of Ballarat VIC
2 December 2016 – 15 January 2017 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery NSW
20 January 2017 – 19 March 2017 Cowra Regional Art Gallery NSW
24 March 2017 – 13 May 2017 Bega Valley Regional Gallery NSW
19 May 2017 – 2 July 2017 Hawkesbury Regional Gallery NSW
7 July 2017 – 20 August 2017 Western Plains Cultural Centre NSW
Australia’s most extraordinary art event! The Archibald Prize (along with the Wynne and Sulman Prizes) is an annual exhibition eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. The Archibald Prize, first awarded in 1921, is Australia’s favourite art award, and one of its most prestigious. Awarded to the best portrait painting, it’s a who’s who of Australian culture – from politicians to celebrities, sporting heroes to artists.
Postcodes From the Edge
Opening: 11 November @ 6.30pm
12 November 2016 - 12 March 2017
Wollongong City Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
Melissa Ritchie - First prize "Georges on Jones"
An art prize and exhibition featuring small format contemporary art works which reflect the Illawarra region through people, places or events. The Prize is open to all artists living with the postcode boundaries of 2508 in the north, 2534 in the south and 2576 in the west. A Wollongong Art Gallery friends event.
Belonging. An Exhibition of Contemporary Art.
Opening: 4th November @ 6.30pm
2nd November to 13th November 2016
Speaker: Lord Mayor – Gordon Bradbury
Project Contemporary Artspace - 255 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW
Gallery Open Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Featuring the works of IAVA members. During Viva La Gong festivities of Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th November, IAVA will be running Free Workshops, Artists Talks and a Drop-In Community Art Making space.
City of Ryde - Women's Art Prize
16 June - 2 July 2016
See Street Gallery, Meadowbank NSW
Opening: 15th June @ 6.00pm
The City of Ryde proudly presents the sixth annual Women’s Art Prize. Artists are exhibiting artworks that respond to themes surrounding women, inspired by the 2016 International Women’s Day theme Pledge for Parity.
Percival Portrait Painting Prize
6 May - 10 July 2016
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville QLD
The biennial Percival Portrait Painting Prize is North Queensland’s own portrait competition and is held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. Having begun in 2007, The Percivals is an open competition for artists. Showcasing the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by Australian artists, the competition has presented varied styles and approaches to the contemporary portrait - from abstracted images and cool conceptualism to smooth realism and the energetic aura of thick, impasto oils executed with broad brush and palette knife.
Mardi Gras Regional Art Prize
23 March - 24 April 2016
Little Blow Hole Cafe Art Bar, Kiama NSW
15 March 2016 – 21 March 2016
Old Fire Station Gallery, Kiama NSW
The Mardi Gras Regional Art Prize aims to celebrate diversity, acceptance, equality, and love in all its forms, and provide a platform for celebrating the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in regional New South Wales. Artists were asked to focus their work on the extraordinary career and inspirational life of Kiama born, Academy-award winning Hollywood costume designer Orry-Kelly.
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
2 - 3 April 2014
Thirroul District Community Center & Library,
352 - 360 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW
Opening: 4th April @ 7pm ($20 admission)
The Thirroul Seaside arts festival is a week long celebration of the arts and seaside activities that reflect the community interest and way of life. The Art competition showcases the best of emerging and established artists in mixed styles from sculpture on the beach to paintings in the library.
Kilgour Prize
14 November 2015 – 7 February 2016
Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle NSW
The Kilgour Prize is an annual art prize for figurative and portrait painting that awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art. A People’s Choice is also awarded of $5000 to the painting voted most popular by the general public.
The Kilgour Prize financed by the Jack Noel Kilgour bequest is administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
Portia Geach Memorial Award
17 September – 25 October 2015
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, Sydney NSW
Celebrating it's 50th year in 2015, the Portia Geach Memorial Award is Australia's most prestigious art prize for portraiture by female artists.
The Portia Geach Memorial Award was established by the will of the late Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister, Portia Geach. The non-acquisitive award of $30, 000 is awarded by the Trustee for the entry which is of the highest artistic merit, '...for the best portrait painted from life of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, or the Sciences by any female artist resident in Australia during the twelve months preceding the close date for entries.'
Scarborough Art Show
3 October – 4 October 2015
Scarborough Public School
Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Scarborough NSW
Opening : Friday 2nd October @ 6.00pm (Tickets $25. Buy Tickets)
High on a cliff overlooking a spectacular coastline, the Scarborough Art Show has become a cultural beacon of the Illawarra, attracting visitors and exhibitors from the region and across the state.
Now in its 17th year, the annual show has developed a reputation for its quality, its breadth and its affordability. Painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors join with jewellers, ceramicists and craftspeople from Sydney to the Southern Highlands to create a vibrant exhibition, with something for everyone.
Out of the Illawarra
4 August – 28 August 2015
Fountain Court Gallery
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW
Opening : Thursday 6th August, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
RSVP Required: 29th July (Email: [email protected])
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Underpinning
2 February – 29 March 2015
The Hanging Space Gallery
Shop 1, 409-411 Princes Hwy, Woonona NSW
Opening : 12th February @ 6.30pm (enter from rear of Manic Organic)
An exhibition of IAVA & THS Committee Members.
Matthew Gillet Gallery
4 December 2014 – 1 February 2015
Matthew Gillett Gallery, Scarborough Hotel - 383 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Scarborbough NSW
Opening: 4 December @ 6.00pm
A group exhibition featuring Melissa Ritchie's unique Popsters portraits. This exhibition will featuring portraits from the first Popsters show, some of which have been all over Australia exhibited in National art prizes.... plus several new art works. Matthew Gillett Gallery is located in the picturesque Scarborbough hotel in the Illawarra's Northern Suburbs, just south of the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Transmission
5 November – 16 November 2014
Project Contemporary Artspace, 255 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 7 November @ 6.30pm
IAVA’s annual showcase exhibition “Transmission” will feature work by 11members from 5-16 November. The show will be a part of the Viva la Gong Festival with artists talks, tours and discussions throughout the afternoon of 8 November.
Artists Talks: Saturday 8 November from 1.00pm
Black Swan Portrait Prize
9 October – 19 October 2014
St Georges Terrace, 137 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA
The 2014 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture will take place in October 2014 in the heart of Perth, Western Australia. 40 artworks by Australia's finest portrait artists will be on display, with artists competing for the prestigious $50,000 Lester Group Prize and the $7,500 People's Choice Prize.
Sunshine Coast Art Prize
27 August – 26 October 2014
Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra QLD
Opening: 27 August @ 6pm
The Sunshine Coast Art Prize is among the nation's most significant regional art prizes. It is presented by the Sunshine Coast Council. Now in its ninth year, the Sunshine Coast Art Prize attracts the best contemporary and emerging artists Australia has to offer.
Flanagan Art Prize
22 August – 31 August 2014.
OCA Pavilion, St Patrick's College, Ballarat VIC
Opening: 22 August
The 2014 Flanagan Art Exhibition will feature stunning works from artists around Australia. This year's judge is Professor Callum Morton, the Head of Fine Arts at Monash University.
Contemporary Watercolour Prize
25 July - 7 September 2014.
Wollongong City Gallery, Corner Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 25th July @ 6.30pm
This biennial competition aims to encourage the continued development of watercolour painting in contemporary and traditional forms.
James Kiwi Traditional Watercolour Prize
25 July - 7 September 2014.
Wollongong City Gallery, Corner Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 25th July @ 6.30pm
This biennial competition aims to encourage the continued development of watercolour painting in contemporary and traditional forms.
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award
30 May - 5 July 2014
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Zingel Place, Bega NSW
Opening: 30 May @ 6pm
The Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is well established as one of Australia’s best loved and richest portrait prizes (eclipsed only by the Doug Moran and the Archibald).
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
4 - 6 April 2014
Thirroul District Community Center & Library, 352 - 360 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW
Opening: 4th April @ 7pm ($20 admission)
The Thirroul Seaside arts festival is a week long celebration of the arts and seaside activities that reflect the community interest and way of life. The Art competition showcases the best of emerging and established artists in mixed styles from sculpture on the beach to paintings in the library.
Postcodes From the Edge
15 March - 18 May 2014
Wollongong City Gallery, Corner Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 14th March @ 6pm
An art prize and exhibition featuring small format contemporary art works. The prize is open to all artists living within the postcode boundaries of 2508 in the north, 2534 in the south and 2576 in the west.
IAVA Member Exhibition
3 - 29 March 2014
The Hanging Space Gallery
Shop 1, 409-411 Princes Hwy, Woonona NSW
Opening : 6th March @ 6.30pm (enter from rear of Manic Organic)
Melissa Ritchie & Tammie Castles are two of the latest artists to join IAVA. This month long exhibition will showcase their latest work, showing a diverse collection of local contemporary art.
POPSTERS. Pop Art Portraits. (Solo Exhibition)
26th November - 21st December 2013
Art Arena Gallery, Market Street, Wollongong NSW
Opening : 29th November @ 6pm with live entertainment and refreshments
Popsters is a collection of poster portraiture influenced by the modern popular culture of film & music posters and the world of commercial art and graphic design. Solo exhibition.
6 January - 19 January 2024
Brunswick Street Gallery, Level 1 & 2, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC
Brunswick Street Gallery’s annual Small Works Art Prize is an open call art prize featuring works no larger than 35x35x35cm.
Attracting thousands of visitors and featuring over 600 artworks by hundreds of artists of all experience levels and styles, Small Works Art Prize gives our local and extended creative community the opportunity to exhibit in a prize show context amongst peers.
Passage of Time
14 November – 26 November 2023
Clifton School of Arts
338 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Clifton, NSW
Join 20 Illawarra Artists as they showcase a diverse range of contemporary art including paintings, photography, sculpture, prints and mixed media at the historical Clifton School of Arts.
The Agency Still Life Prize
29 July - 13 August 2023
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
This wonderful annual still life exhibition forms one of the jewels in the crown of the Bowral Art Gallery Calendar. Join us to enjoy the works from both local artists and artists from across the state, who may be emerging or acclaimed.
Affordable Art Fair - Sydney
15 - 18 June 2023
Randwick Racecourse, NSW
Represented by Bluethumb Gallery.
Nosila Portrait Prize
7 - 18 June 2023
Nosila Gallery, Wollongong NSW
Inaugural portrait painting prize in Wollongong showcasing local artists.
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
2 - 4 June 2023
Thirroul District Community Center & Library,
352 - 360 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW
The Thirroul Seaside arts festival is a week long celebration of the arts and seaside activities that reflect the community interest and way of life. The Art competition showcases the best of emerging and established artists in mixed styles from sculpture on the beach to paintings in the library.
Reach
31 May – 24 June 2023
Gallery Lane Cove
Upper level, 164 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW
Reach - A group art exhibition from IAVA - Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts. I will be facilitating a panel discussion on 'Does thinking about Contemporary Art make you dizzy?'
International Women's Day Art Exhibition
29 February - 19 March 2023
Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong NSW
International Women's Day Art Exhibition celebrates female artists from the local Illawarra region. Responding to the theme ‘Embrace Equity’, thirty-two local artists have created a range of artwork that embraces women's equality.
Still Life Painting Prize
8 - 26 February 2023
Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong NSW
Second annual still life painting prize, an exhibition of exceptional still life paintings.
Small Works Art Prize
7 January - 20 January 2023
Brunswick Street Gallery, Level 1 & 2, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC
Brunswick Street Gallery’s annual Small Works Art Prize is an open call art prize featuring works no larger than 35x35x35cm.
Attracting thousands of visitors and featuring over 600 artworks by hundreds of artists of all experience levels and styles, Small Works Art Prize gives our local and extended creative community the opportunity to exhibit in a prize show context amongst peers.
ACB Selects
1 December 2022 - 28 January 2023
Online - https://nationalemergingartprize.com.au/finalists/acb-selects-2022/
Part of the National Emerging Art Prize, ACB Selects is an online exhibition curated by Amber Creswell Bell of Michael Reid Galleries.
Travelling On
22 November – 2 December 2022
Clifton School of Arts
338 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Clifton, NSW
Join 27 Illawarra Artists as they showcase a diverse range of contemporary art including paintings, photography, sculpture, prints and mixed media at the historical Clifton School of Arts.
Brisbane Portrait Prize
29 September – 30 October 2022
Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington St, New Farm QLD
The Brisbane Portrait Prize is a new and distinctive cultural offering for Brisbane, with a $50,000 first prize (the Lord Mayor’s Prize), showcasing the best in contemporary portraiture and celebrating the character of the city and those who make it what it is.
Copes Family Portrait Prize
17 September – 3 October 2022
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Bowral Art Gallery is once again proud to host this stunning exhibition, and would like to thank our generous sponsors, Tim and Patricia Copes for providing the prize money. Judged by Evan Shipard and Kim Shannon, this bi-annual exhibition of portraiture will feature works of many artists both local and interstate.
National Capital Art Prize
22 September - 12 October 2022
Fitters’ Workshop, Printers Way, Kingston ACT 2604
The annual National Capital Art Prize is the first Australia-wide competition for artworks of any subject. The annual competition offers an exciting platform for Australian artists of all genres, ages and level of experience.
DIVERGENCE GROUP EXHIBITION
11 - 16 August 2022
m2 Gallery, 4/50 Elizabeth Stree, Surry Hills NSW
DIVERGENCE is an exhibition by the Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts with eighteen artists contributing and celebrating the diversity of their works for the first time in the m2 space. IAVA is the premium group of artists in the Illawarra cultivating and promoting outstanding contemporary art.
The Agency Still Life Prize
16 - 31 July 2022
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
This wonderful annual still life exhibition forms one of the jewels in the crown of the Bowral Art Gallery Calendar. Join us to enjoy the works from both local artists and artists from across the state, who may be emerging or acclaimed. The exhibition this year will be judged by John Boker and Kim Shannon.
SPLASH! Gap Exhibition
20 - 25 May 2022
Old Fire Station Gallery, 40 Shoalhaven Street, Kiama NSW
Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts (IAVA) will be exhibiting works by members in the SPLASH! Gap exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery in Kiama.
Expander - STILL LIFE
11 May – 28 May 2022
Stala Contemporary, Perth WA
A new series of annual group exhibitions known as the Expander series featuring selected represented and invited artists around a different broad theme each exhibition. This second Expander exhibition, Expander - STILL LIFE will feature a diverse collection of invited contemporary artists who explore still life in their practices.
Percival Portrait Painting Prize
22 April – 3 July 2022
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville QLD
The biennial Percival Portrait Painting Prize is North Queensland’s own portrait competition and is held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. Showcasing the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by Australian artists, the competition has presented varied styles and approaches to the contemporary portrait - from abstracted images and cool conceptualism to smooth realism and the energetic aura of thick, impasto oils executed with broad brush and palette knife.
Postcodes From the Edge
Opening: 18 March @ 6.30pm
19 March - 5 June 2022
Wollongong City Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
An art prize and exhibition featuring small format contemporary art works which reflect the Illawarra region through people, places or events. The Prize is open to all artists living with the postcode boundaries of 2508 in the north, 2534 in the south and 2576 in the west. A Wollongong Art Gallery friends event.
International Women's Day Art Exhibition
2 - 20 March 2022
Project Contemporary Artspace, Wollongong NSW
International Women's Day Art Exhibition celebrates female artists from the local Illawarra region. Responding to the theme ‘Breaking the Bias’, thirty-two local artists have created a range of artwork that embraces women's equality.
TEN - IAVA Anniversary Exhibition
7 - 19 December 2021
Clifton School of the Arts, Clifton NSW
‘TEN’ Celebrates 10 years of IAVA members cultivating and promoting contemporary visual art in the Illawarra.
Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Award
18 - 26 June 2021
Lethbridge Gallery, 136 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
With a first prize of $20 000, the Lethbridge Art Award is open to national and international artists for small-scale artworks up to 61cm (24 inches) in height or width. The Judging is based on three equally evaluated criteria of creativity, originality and skill.
See exhibition here.
Collectors Choice Group Exhibition
Saturday 5 December - Sunday 20 December 2020
Artsite Gallery, 165-167 Salisbury Road (Corner of St Marys Street,) Camperdown Sydney 2050 NSW
With more than 70 new works on exhibition, this years Collector´s Choice is your opportunity to buy from an extraordinary curated exhibition displayed across both galleries of high quality works. Established artists are those who have been acquired by public collections – serious credibility and deserving of respect - making the purchase of work by established Australian artists very affordable compared with international artists of equivalent profile.
Emerging artists are those our experienced curators have identified with a strong consistency and future potential. The often used term, emerging, has nothing to do with chronological age, these artists are simply those yet to be discovered by, and acquired into, public Institutions.
Summer Vibe Group Exhibition
Thursday 3 December - Wednesday 23 December 2020
The Space Gallery, Level 1, 61 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018
A group show featuring artists whose work represents the lightness and happiness of Summer. Enjoy the art of Summer Vibes from Thursday 3rd until Wednesday 23rd December 2020. Opening celebration, please RSVP here and we will send you more information by email.
Uralla Gallery Collection
Uralla Gallery, 80 Bridge Street, Uralla, NSW 2358 and Online Gallery
The Uralla Gallery started with a small collective of artists, but now exhibits artists from all over Australia and is continuously growing. We strive to make art accessible for everyone, both in the physical gallery as well as online. We hope you love our space just as much as we do!
Fisher's Ghost Art Award
Saturday 31 October - Friday 11 December 2020
Campbelltown Art Centre, 1 Art Gallery Road, Campbelltown NSW 2560
The Fisher’s Ghost Art Award is an annual art prize inviting artists to submit works in a variety of artistic categories and mediums. Now in its 58th year, with a total of $36,000 in prize money to be won the Open section is acquisitive to the Campbelltown City Council collection and is valued at $25,000.
Calleen Art Award.
4 October - 15 November 2020
Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW
The Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive art prize that encourages originality and artistic merit established in 1977 by Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM. The winner of the Calleen Art Award will receive $20,000 in prize money made possible by the generosity of the Calleen Trust.
John Copes Portrait Prize
19 September – 11 October 2020
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Bowral Art Gallery is once again proud to host this stunning exhibition, and would like to thank our generous sponsors, Tim and Patricia Copes for providing the prize money. Judged by Ben Quilty, this bi-annual exhibition of portraiture will feature works of many artists both local and interstate.
Kilgour Prize
1 August 2020 – 15 November 2020
Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle NSW
The Kilgour Prize is an annual art prize for figurative and portrait painting that awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art. The Kilgour Prize financed by the Jack Noel Kilgour bequest is administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
This is the third time Melissa Ritchie has been shortlisted for the Kilgour Prize.
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award
27 July - 11 September 2020
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Zingel Place, Bega NSW
The nation’s most loved and richest realistic portrait prize and carrying a $50,000 award, the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is a non-acquisitive prize for realistic portraiture, held biennially at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery.
See exhibition here.
Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Award
18 - 27 June 2020
Lethbridge Gallery, 136 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
With a first prize of $20 000, the Lethbridge Art Award is open to national and international artists for small-scale artworks up to 61cm (24 inches) in height or width. The Judging is based on three equally evaluated criteria of creativity, originality and skill.
See exhibition here.
Percival Portrait Painting Prize
Friday 22 May – Sunday 19 July 2020
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville QLD
Having begun in 2007, The Percivals is an open competition for artists. While showcasing the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by Australian artists, the competition has also given many emerging artists an opportunity to engage with portraiture and share their expressions of themselves and those close to them.
Visit virtual exhibition.
Curio Collateral (Solo Exhibition)
7 November – 1 December 2019
Little Blow Hole Art Bar, 4 Tingira Crescent, Kiama, NSW
Opening: 31 October 2019
Opening hours: Wed & Thurs 5-9pm, Fri & Sat 12-3pm & 5-10pm, Sun 12-6pm.
The items we collect say a lot about who we are, where we’ve come from and where we’re going. Some things are emotionally charged and we treasure them. Others are easily discarded but are unwitting held onto, forgotten. Most will trigger a memory. Melissa Ritchie’s still lifes are a visual feast of icons, brands and symbols, hinting at a narrative. Her realistic oil paintings and drawings showcase collections of curios and clutter, representing a slice in time.
See exhibition catalogue.
Brisbane Portrait Prize
30 September – 31 October 2019
Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington St, New Farm QLD
The Brisbane Portrait Prize is a new and distinctive cultural offering for Brisbane, with a $50,000 first prize (the Lord Mayor’s Prize), showcasing the best in contemporary portraiture and celebrating the character of the city and those who make it what it is.
Out of the Illawarra 2019
6 August – 29 August 2019
Fountain Court Gallery
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW
Opening : Thursday 8th August, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Kilgour Prize
3 August 2019 – 13 October 2019
Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle NSW
The Kilgour Prize is an annual art prize for figurative and portrait painting that awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art. A People’s Choice is also awarded of $5000 to the painting voted most popular by the general public.
The Kilgour Prize financed by the Jack Noel Kilgour bequest is administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
Small Works Art Prize
26 June - 18 July 2019
Brunswick Street Gallery, Level 1 & 2, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC
Brunswick Street Gallery’s annual Small Works Art Prize is an open call art prize featuring works no larger than 35x35x35cm.
Attracting thousands of visitors and featuring over 600 artworks by hundreds of artists of all experience levels and styles, Small Works Art Prize gives our local and extended creative community the opportunity to exhibit in a prize show context amongst peers.
Pirtek Still Life Prize
29 June - 7 July 2019
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Melissa Ritchie - Highly Commended "PEP-O-MINT - Lifesavers on Blue"
This wonderful annual still life exhibition forms one of the jewels in the crown of the Bowral Art Gallery Calendar. Join us to enjoy the works from both local artists and artists from across the state, who may be emerging or acclaimed. The exhibition this year will be judged by renowned still life artist Janine Coddington.
SBS Portrait Prize
Southern Bouy Studios
1/19 Carbine Way, Mornington, VIC 3931
Opening : 27 April 2019
Highly Commended - "Brace Yourself" Melissa Ritchie
Strong Women
1 March - 31 March 2019
Little Blow Hole Art Bar,
4 Tingira Crescent, Kiama, NSW
Opening: 7 March 2019
Strong Women, an Art Bar community project and celebration of women opens on International Women’s Day March 8.
A collective of portraits of strong women by strong women.
Illawarra Locals
3 February - 24 February 2019
Artsite Gallery - 165 Salisbury Road cnr St Marys Street, Camperdown, Sydney NSW
Official Opening: Sunday 3 Feb 3-5pm
Preview and Purchase: Saturday 2 Feb 11-5pm
Illawarra Local is an exhibition of work by nine artists from the Illawarra region selected by emerging artist and curator of Kiama’s Little Blowhole Art Bar, Jamie Cole.
Gitte Backhausen, Catherine Carr, Janine Coddington, Becky Guggisberg, Brigitta Hammell, Melissa Ritchie, Lissa de Sailles, Megan Seres, and Robyn Sharp.
Locals on Board
3 November - 10 February 2019
Wollongong Art Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening : Friday 3 November, 6.30pm
Wollongong Art Gallery invited local artists to participate in this exhibition titled Locals on board. Limited to 198 artists, the exhibition populates the whole of the Level 2 of the Gallery space. Artists have be supplied with a board sizes 60 x 80cm to use for 2D artwork, new media or sculpture.
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award
26 October - 8 December 2018
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Zingel Place, Bega NSW
Opening: 26 October @ 6pm
The nation’s most loved and richest realistic portrait prize and carrying a $50,000 award, the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is a non-acquisitive prize for realistic portraiture, held biennially at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery.
Eutick Memorial Still Life Award
9 November - 1 December 2018
Project Contemporary Artspace - 255 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW
Opening: Friday 9 November
Gallery Open Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
As Australia’s only national Still Life Painting Award, EMSLA is celebrating its twelfth consecutive year with a non-acquisitive First Prize of $20,000.
John Copes Portrait Prize
21 September – 1 October 2018
Bowral Art Gallery, 1 Short Street, Bowral NSW
Opening : Friday 21 September, 6.30pm
Melissa Ritchie - Highly Commended "The Washing can Wait"
Bowral Art Gallery is once again proud to host this stunning exhibition, and would like to thank our generous sponsors, Tim and Patricia Copes for providing the prize money. Judged by Sally Ryan, this bi-annual exhibition of portraiture will feature works of many artists both local and interstate.
Kangaroo Valley Art Prize
28 September – 1 October 2018
Arts in the Valley - 177 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley, NSW
Opening : Friday 28 September, 6.00pm
The Exhibition will be held in stunning Kangaroo Valley for four days over the long-weekend from 28th September through 1st October. The Kangaroo Valley Art Prize has drawn an outstanding level or artwork from established and emerging artists from a range of local and regional areas. All work exhibited has been curated by Allan Baptist OAM, a noted curator.
Kennedy Prize
7 September – 28 September 2018
Royal South Australian Society of Arts (RSASA) - Adelaide, SA
Opening : Friday 7 September, 6.00pm
The Kennedy Prize is an annual Australian art award of $25,000 for ‘beauty’.
The prize, offered by the Kennedy Arts Foundation, is based and exhibited in Adelaide but open to Australian artists nationwide, and is awarded to works that embody, comment on or celebrate beauty.
IAVA NOW
6 July – 2 September 2018
Wollongong Art Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening : Friday 6 July, 6.00pm
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Strong Women
1 March - 30 March 2018
Little Blow Hole Art Bar,
4 Tingira Crescent, Kiama, NSW
Opening: 8 March 2018
Strong Women, an Art Bar community project and celebration of women opens on International Women’s Day March 8.
A collective of portraits of strong women by strong women.
Portia Geach Memorial Award
20 October – 26 November 2017
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, Sydney NSW
The Portia Geach Memorial Award is Australia's most prestigious art prize for portraiture by female artists.
The Portia Geach Memorial Award was established by the will of the late Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister, Portia Geach. The non-acquisitive award of $30, 000 is awarded by the Trustee for the entry which is of the highest artistic merit, '...for the best portrait painted from life of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, or the Sciences by any female artist resident in Australia during the twelve months preceding the close date for entries.'
Out of the Illawarra 2017
3 August – 27 August 2017
Fountain Court Gallery
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW
Opening : Thursday 3rd August, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
RSVP Required: 28th July (Email: [email protected])
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Feast
Opening: 30 July @ 5.30pm
1 July - 23 July 2017
Belconnen Arts Centre - 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen, ACT
Artists’ Talk Sun July 9 @ 11am
Feast is indulgence, savouring and delectation featuring 11 artists from IAVA – Illawarra Association for the Visual Arts. It’s a greeting from the Illawarra to Canberra and we’re delighted to be occupying the lovely art space on the shores of Lake Ginninderra.
Archibald Prize
16 July - 9 October 2016 Art Gallery NSW
14 October 2016 – 27 November 2016 Art Gallery of Ballarat VIC
2 December 2016 – 15 January 2017 Wagga Wagga Art Gallery NSW
20 January 2017 – 19 March 2017 Cowra Regional Art Gallery NSW
24 March 2017 – 13 May 2017 Bega Valley Regional Gallery NSW
19 May 2017 – 2 July 2017 Hawkesbury Regional Gallery NSW
7 July 2017 – 20 August 2017 Western Plains Cultural Centre NSW
Australia’s most extraordinary art event! The Archibald Prize (along with the Wynne and Sulman Prizes) is an annual exhibition eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. The Archibald Prize, first awarded in 1921, is Australia’s favourite art award, and one of its most prestigious. Awarded to the best portrait painting, it’s a who’s who of Australian culture – from politicians to celebrities, sporting heroes to artists.
Postcodes From the Edge
Opening: 11 November @ 6.30pm
12 November 2016 - 12 March 2017
Wollongong City Gallery - Corner Kembla & Borelli Streets, Wollongong NSW
Melissa Ritchie - First prize "Georges on Jones"
An art prize and exhibition featuring small format contemporary art works which reflect the Illawarra region through people, places or events. The Prize is open to all artists living with the postcode boundaries of 2508 in the north, 2534 in the south and 2576 in the west. A Wollongong Art Gallery friends event.
Belonging. An Exhibition of Contemporary Art.
Opening: 4th November @ 6.30pm
2nd November to 13th November 2016
Speaker: Lord Mayor – Gordon Bradbury
Project Contemporary Artspace - 255 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW
Gallery Open Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Featuring the works of IAVA members. During Viva La Gong festivities of Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th November, IAVA will be running Free Workshops, Artists Talks and a Drop-In Community Art Making space.
City of Ryde - Women's Art Prize
16 June - 2 July 2016
See Street Gallery, Meadowbank NSW
Opening: 15th June @ 6.00pm
The City of Ryde proudly presents the sixth annual Women’s Art Prize. Artists are exhibiting artworks that respond to themes surrounding women, inspired by the 2016 International Women’s Day theme Pledge for Parity.
Percival Portrait Painting Prize
6 May - 10 July 2016
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville QLD
The biennial Percival Portrait Painting Prize is North Queensland’s own portrait competition and is held at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. Having begun in 2007, The Percivals is an open competition for artists. Showcasing the outstanding and innovative work currently being produced by Australian artists, the competition has presented varied styles and approaches to the contemporary portrait - from abstracted images and cool conceptualism to smooth realism and the energetic aura of thick, impasto oils executed with broad brush and palette knife.
Mardi Gras Regional Art Prize
23 March - 24 April 2016
Little Blow Hole Cafe Art Bar, Kiama NSW
15 March 2016 – 21 March 2016
Old Fire Station Gallery, Kiama NSW
The Mardi Gras Regional Art Prize aims to celebrate diversity, acceptance, equality, and love in all its forms, and provide a platform for celebrating the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in regional New South Wales. Artists were asked to focus their work on the extraordinary career and inspirational life of Kiama born, Academy-award winning Hollywood costume designer Orry-Kelly.
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
2 - 3 April 2014
Thirroul District Community Center & Library,
352 - 360 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW
Opening: 4th April @ 7pm ($20 admission)
The Thirroul Seaside arts festival is a week long celebration of the arts and seaside activities that reflect the community interest and way of life. The Art competition showcases the best of emerging and established artists in mixed styles from sculpture on the beach to paintings in the library.
Kilgour Prize
14 November 2015 – 7 February 2016
Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle NSW
The Kilgour Prize is an annual art prize for figurative and portrait painting that awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art. A People’s Choice is also awarded of $5000 to the painting voted most popular by the general public.
The Kilgour Prize financed by the Jack Noel Kilgour bequest is administered by The Trust Company, Part of Perpetual.
Portia Geach Memorial Award
17 September – 25 October 2015
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, Sydney NSW
Celebrating it's 50th year in 2015, the Portia Geach Memorial Award is Australia's most prestigious art prize for portraiture by female artists.
The Portia Geach Memorial Award was established by the will of the late Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister, Portia Geach. The non-acquisitive award of $30, 000 is awarded by the Trustee for the entry which is of the highest artistic merit, '...for the best portrait painted from life of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, or the Sciences by any female artist resident in Australia during the twelve months preceding the close date for entries.'
Scarborough Art Show
3 October – 4 October 2015
Scarborough Public School
Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Scarborough NSW
Opening : Friday 2nd October @ 6.00pm (Tickets $25. Buy Tickets)
High on a cliff overlooking a spectacular coastline, the Scarborough Art Show has become a cultural beacon of the Illawarra, attracting visitors and exhibitors from the region and across the state.
Now in its 17th year, the annual show has developed a reputation for its quality, its breadth and its affordability. Painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors join with jewellers, ceramicists and craftspeople from Sydney to the Southern Highlands to create a vibrant exhibition, with something for everyone.
Out of the Illawarra
4 August – 28 August 2015
Fountain Court Gallery
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW
Opening : Thursday 6th August, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
RSVP Required: 29th July (Email: [email protected])
An exhibition of contemporary art.
A collaboration of Illawarra Association of Visual Arts (IAVA).
Underpinning
2 February – 29 March 2015
The Hanging Space Gallery
Shop 1, 409-411 Princes Hwy, Woonona NSW
Opening : 12th February @ 6.30pm (enter from rear of Manic Organic)
An exhibition of IAVA & THS Committee Members.
Matthew Gillet Gallery
4 December 2014 – 1 February 2015
Matthew Gillett Gallery, Scarborough Hotel - 383 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Scarborbough NSW
Opening: 4 December @ 6.00pm
A group exhibition featuring Melissa Ritchie's unique Popsters portraits. This exhibition will featuring portraits from the first Popsters show, some of which have been all over Australia exhibited in National art prizes.... plus several new art works. Matthew Gillett Gallery is located in the picturesque Scarborbough hotel in the Illawarra's Northern Suburbs, just south of the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Transmission
5 November – 16 November 2014
Project Contemporary Artspace, 255 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 7 November @ 6.30pm
IAVA’s annual showcase exhibition “Transmission” will feature work by 11members from 5-16 November. The show will be a part of the Viva la Gong Festival with artists talks, tours and discussions throughout the afternoon of 8 November.
Artists Talks: Saturday 8 November from 1.00pm
Black Swan Portrait Prize
9 October – 19 October 2014
St Georges Terrace, 137 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA
The 2014 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture will take place in October 2014 in the heart of Perth, Western Australia. 40 artworks by Australia's finest portrait artists will be on display, with artists competing for the prestigious $50,000 Lester Group Prize and the $7,500 People's Choice Prize.
Sunshine Coast Art Prize
27 August – 26 October 2014
Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra QLD
Opening: 27 August @ 6pm
The Sunshine Coast Art Prize is among the nation's most significant regional art prizes. It is presented by the Sunshine Coast Council. Now in its ninth year, the Sunshine Coast Art Prize attracts the best contemporary and emerging artists Australia has to offer.
Flanagan Art Prize
22 August – 31 August 2014.
OCA Pavilion, St Patrick's College, Ballarat VIC
Opening: 22 August
The 2014 Flanagan Art Exhibition will feature stunning works from artists around Australia. This year's judge is Professor Callum Morton, the Head of Fine Arts at Monash University.
Contemporary Watercolour Prize
25 July - 7 September 2014.
Wollongong City Gallery, Corner Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 25th July @ 6.30pm
This biennial competition aims to encourage the continued development of watercolour painting in contemporary and traditional forms.
James Kiwi Traditional Watercolour Prize
25 July - 7 September 2014.
Wollongong City Gallery, Corner Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 25th July @ 6.30pm
This biennial competition aims to encourage the continued development of watercolour painting in contemporary and traditional forms.
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award
30 May - 5 July 2014
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, Zingel Place, Bega NSW
Opening: 30 May @ 6pm
The Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is well established as one of Australia’s best loved and richest portrait prizes (eclipsed only by the Doug Moran and the Archibald).
Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival
4 - 6 April 2014
Thirroul District Community Center & Library, 352 - 360 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW
Opening: 4th April @ 7pm ($20 admission)
The Thirroul Seaside arts festival is a week long celebration of the arts and seaside activities that reflect the community interest and way of life. The Art competition showcases the best of emerging and established artists in mixed styles from sculpture on the beach to paintings in the library.
Postcodes From the Edge
15 March - 18 May 2014
Wollongong City Gallery, Corner Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong NSW
Opening: 14th March @ 6pm
An art prize and exhibition featuring small format contemporary art works. The prize is open to all artists living within the postcode boundaries of 2508 in the north, 2534 in the south and 2576 in the west.
IAVA Member Exhibition
3 - 29 March 2014
The Hanging Space Gallery
Shop 1, 409-411 Princes Hwy, Woonona NSW
Opening : 6th March @ 6.30pm (enter from rear of Manic Organic)
Melissa Ritchie & Tammie Castles are two of the latest artists to join IAVA. This month long exhibition will showcase their latest work, showing a diverse collection of local contemporary art.
POPSTERS. Pop Art Portraits. (Solo Exhibition)
26th November - 21st December 2013
Art Arena Gallery, Market Street, Wollongong NSW
Opening : 29th November @ 6pm with live entertainment and refreshments
Popsters is a collection of poster portraiture influenced by the modern popular culture of film & music posters and the world of commercial art and graphic design. Solo exhibition.