The opening of the 2026 QPRC & Bendigo Bank Art Awards took place on the afternoon of Saturday 16 May, to over 200 visitors. This year, the professional judging panel featured arts industry leaders: Louise Wakefield, President of Southern Tableland Arts and Kacy Grainger, Arts Manager and Curator of Grainger Galleries. QPRC Mayor Kenrick Winchester and representatives from Bendigo Bank presided over a number of special prize categories, all judges were very impressed by the quality of the works submitted from a range of media including glass, sculpture, digital, pastels and paintings.
This year 87 artists exhibited and competed for 12 prizes. To accommodate the largest ever Art Awards exhibition it has been showcased across two gallery spaces: The Q Exhibition Space and The LinQ Gallery. Both venues are located within The Q & The B Performing Arts Centre in the heart of the Queanbeyan Civic precinct.
And the winners are…
- $7000 Major Acquisitive Award, The Passing Autumn by Annette Blair
- $3000 Mayors Acquisitive Heritage Art Award, Superb Lyrebird by David Smith
- $1000 Mayors Highly Commended Heritage Award, On the Edge of Morning by Jen Moraga
- $3000 3D Art Award, With You, By My Side by Kate Butler
- $1000 3D Highly Commended, Waste Columns by Mahala Hill
- $3000 First Nations Award, Lessons from the Forest by Lea Palij
- $1000 First Nations Highly Commended, Spirit Country (Sacred Country) by Gail Neuss
- $2000 Emerging Artist Award 16-25yrs, The Book Of Promise by Pouniu Iosia
- $2000 Bendigo Pick Award, Superb Lyrebird by David Smith
- $1000 Bendigo Pick Photographic Award, Mystery Bay by Matt Hamilton
Our arts industry judges Kacy and Louise, commend Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and Bendigo Bank for their continued investment in this exhibition - not only the financial support that makes these prizes possible, but the time, effort and care that goes into creating a genuine opportunity for artists to participate, present their work, and be seen. Events like this matter enormously to artists at every stage of their practice, and to the audiences who engage with them. The calibre of entries this year is testament to what becomes possible when community and institutional support combine.
QPRC would also like to acknowledge the financial support of the Braidwood & Bungendore Community Bank Branches of the Bendigo Bank, as the growth of the awards would not be possible without their involvement and support.
There are still two awards to be judged over the course of the exhibition which will culminate on Saturday afternoon June 13 with the closing event, including artist talks and the announcement of the Viewer's Choice Award and the Curators Choice Award. It will also include our new $250 Lucky Viewer's Choice Prize, a lucky dip draw of all viewers choice voting slips.
It is now up to our visitors and curator to choose the final two prizes. We look forward to celebrating this exciting showcase with you!
Exhibition dates: 16 May - 13 June 2026
Venue: The Q Exhibition Space & The LinQ Gallery
Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
253 Crawford Street
Queanbeyan, NSW 2622.
Opening Hours: Tue - Sat, 10am - 4pm
