One of Australia's most prestigious art competitions has attracted almost 400 entries across its three prizes categories, with 114 artists selected as finalists.
Townsville City Council's biennial art awards The Percivals offer a $40,000 acquisitive prize for the Percival Portrait Painting Prize, a $10,000 acquisitive prize for the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize and a $1000 prize for the Percival Animal Portrait Prize.
With less than two weeks until the exhibition kicks off at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the 388 entries into the competition reinforced how well-regarded the competition was right across the country.
"Receiving 388 entries shows just how highly regarded The Percivals has become — not only across North Queensland, but right across Australia," Cr Dametto said.
"There's no doubt artists around the country pencil The Percivals into their calendar every two years. It's a standout competition that attracts a diverse range of artists, all keen to showcase their best work right here in the arts capital of Northern Australia."
The Percivals attracts a large contingent of artists from outside of Townsville. This year's competition includes 31 Townsville‑based North Queensland finalists alongside 83 finalists from other Australian states and territories.
Cr Dametto said this strong local presence in The Percivals 2026 reinforced Council's commitment to growing local artistic talent.
"The Percivals is shaping up to be another impressive exhibition," he said.
"The Townsville City Galleries team is preparing to install the shortlisted artworks at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and welcome our judges, who certainly won't have an easy job selecting the prize winners.
"I'm especially impressed that more than a quarter of this year's exhibiting artists are locals. We have an incredible depth of artistic talent across the north, and it's fantastic to see our local artists recognised alongside creatives from across the country."
Now the Townsville City Galleries team has the intensive task of hanging 122 artworks at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, including works from four young artists under the age of 18.
Twelve-year-old Alan Leparq Potokar, 12, and Travis Conroy, 8, have been selected to exhibit in the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize. Sienna Frewen-Lord, 14, and Finn Gorman, 8, have successful works in the Percival Animal Portrait Prize.
"It's great to see emerging artists stepping onto a platform like this," Cr Dametto said.
"I'd like to congratulate Alan, Travis, Sienna and Finn on having their work selected for such a significant exhibition. That's a considerable achievement, and they should be incredibly proud of what they've accomplished."
The Percivals 2026 opens on Saturday May 23 at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. Entry is free. A Judges' Floor Talk will be held on Sunday May 24, featuring judges Sasha Grishin (Painting), Serena Bentley (Photography) and Ron McBurnie (Animal).
