Willoughby City Council is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate Art Competition, unveiled following an official awards ceremony held at the Dougherty Community Centre as part of Social Inclusion Week and the International Day of People with Disability.
Now in its seventh year, the competition continues to shine a spotlight on the talent and creativity of artists living with disability, experiencing social isolation or at risk of marginalisation. With 48 entries received from across Northern Sydney, the exhibition once again demonstrates the power of art to connect, inspire and foster a more inclusive community.
This year's guest judge was Julia Norton, an American-born artist and former New York fashion designer. After moving to Sydney in 2012, Julia began taking painting classes at the Willoughby Arts Centre and the National Art School while raising her three children. Her most recent solo exhibition, Echoes of Laughter, held at The Art Space Gallery - The Concourse, explored the complex emotional landscape of parenting her children with neurodiversity and disability, including her son Jack, now 18, who has recently moved into supported independent living. Julia shared that selecting the winners was "extremely difficult, as the level of creativity and personal expression was incredibly high."
Mayor Tanya Taylor congratulated all participating artists and emphasised the importance of the event.
"This exhibition celebrates the creativity and courage of artists in our community. It provides a meaningful platform for people of all abilities to share their stories, express themselves and be recognised. We are incredibly proud to support an initiative that promotes inclusion and empowers individuals through art."
2025 Award Winners
Winner
Sean Yang - In Celebrating Togetherness
Prize: $750 and a solo exhibition at Dougherty Blend Café Art Space in 2026
Highly Commended Awards
Bart Klompe - Connections to Earth
Ruby Shimmers - …Oh! Sparkle - Struck. W
Prize: $125
Commended Awards
Giuseppe Vuoso - Statue of Freedom
Nicky Lett - Together We Grow
Chris Kendall - Buttons and Bows
Rowena Curtin - Odd Socks' Day Out
Ohsha (Jeonga) Oh - Happy Birthday to Me (The Gift I Never Asked For)
Clare Hooper - My Artist Colour
Social inclusion is about strengthening relationships and giving everyone the opportunity to participate fully in society. In recent years, the importance of these connections to our overall health and wellbeing has become increasingly recognised. The artworks submitted in 2025 clearly showcase the remarkable talent of participating artists and the thoughtful ways they embraced the theme 'Connect, Collaborate and Celebrate'.
The Connect, Collaborate, Celebrate Art Competition plays a vital role in supporting Council's Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which outlines practical measures to support accessibility and inclusion for people of all abilities.
Council is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive city, where everyone feels they belong, by providing equitable opportunities for people with disability to participate fully in all aspects of community life, including cultural activities and events.
The exhibition is open to the public until 12 December at the Dougherty Community Centre.
