We are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2026 Bayside Painting Prize.
Our panel of esteemed judges selected 49 artists whose works will be exhibited at Bayside Gallery from 1 May to 14 June.
The Bayside Painting Prize is nationally recognised as Melbourne's premier painting prize. The finalist exhibition brings together a broad range of artists from across Australia, both established and lesser known, whose varied approaches to the painted medium conveys the breadth and diversity of painting in Australia today.
The Prize features a non-acquisitive Major prize of $25,000, a $10,000 Beckett Local Prize (acquisitive), and a $1,000 People's Choice Award.
The Prize serves as a valuable initiative for Bayside City Council to engage the community with exceptional works of art at both local and national scales, while enriching its collection with distinguished works that have a connection to the region.
The judges for the 2026 prize are:
- Jacqueline Doughty, Assistant Director - Curatorial, Art Gallery of Ballarat
- Dr Shelley McSpedden, Senior Curator & Head of Exhibitions, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne
- Joanna Bosse, Curator, Bayside Gallery
Congratulations to all finalists:
Samara Adamson‑Pinczewski, Graeme Altmann, Justin Balmain, Riley Beaumont, Natasha Bieniek, Seth Birchall, Bobby Bowers, Cathy Brown, Eleanor Louise Butt, Aaron C Carter, Ellie Chalmers‑Robinson, Kevin Chin, Greg Creek, Sean Crowley, Sarah Drinan, Ella Dunn, Andrew Duong, David Egan, Betra Fraval, Tim Gregory, Anna Hoyle, Clare Jaque Vasquez, Anthea Kemp, Martin King, Adam Lee, Kathy Liu, Cally Lotz, Jordan Marani, Alasdair McLuckie, Fiona McMonagle, Nick Modrzewski, Jessica Nothdurft, Jahnne Pasco‑White, Regina Pilawuk Wilson, Kenny Pittock, Julia Powles, Adam Pyett, David Ralph, Lucy Roleff, Khashayar Salmanzadeh, Lynn Savery, Nicola Smith, Dave Snook, Adriane Strampp, Rebecca Suares‑Jury, David Hugh Thomas, Kate Vassallo, Caroline Walls, and Darren Wardle.
