What’s Happening?
The finalists for the 2026 Redland Art Awards have been announced, with their paintings set to go on display at Redland Art Gallery in Cleveland.
The biennial awards attracted entries from across Australia, with the selected works to feature in an exhibition opening on Sunday 29 November.
Winners of the major award, second and third prizes, and the Member’s Choice Award will be announced at a gala opening on Friday 27 November.
Why It Matters
The awards celebrate painting talent from across Australia while providing an opportunity for Redlands Coast artists to exhibit alongside other finalists.
Redland City Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the selected works reflected a wide range of artistic perspectives and styles.
“There is a stunning variety of unique perspectives and artistic painting styles among the works and it will be a must-see exhibition,” Cr Talty said.
The primary award winner’s painting will also be acquired for the Redland Art Gallery Collection.
Local Impact
Eight Redlands Coast artists are among this year’s finalists, giving local talent a place in the national painting competition.
Their works will be displayed at Redland Art Gallery in Cleveland from 29 November 2026 until 22 January 2027.
The exhibition also gives Redlands Coast residents an opportunity to see the shortlisted paintings and take part in the Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award.
By The Numbers
- Nearly 450 entries: Submitted by artists across Australia for the 2026 competition.
- More than 10%: The increase in entries compared with the 2024 awards, according to Redland City Council.
- More than $30,000: The total prize pool, with the winning artwork from the primary award joining the gallery’s collection.
Zoom In
Alison Kubler, Editor-in-Chief of art and culture magazine VAULT, will judge the finalists’ exhibition and select the major award winners.
Ms Kubler also serves on the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees and is Principal of Renshaw & Kubler Art Consultants.
The pre-selection judging panel comprised Brisbane-based artist and lecturer Warraba Weatherall, art historian Dr Holly Arden, and Museum of Brisbane exhibitions director Naomi Takeifanga.
The 50 finalists are:
- Adriane Strampp (Victoria)
- Aleja Hine (Queensland)
- Amber Simpson (Queensland)
- Anthony Quidong (Queensland)
- Arthur De LaForcade (Queensland)
- Bernadette Mollison (Queensland)
- Beth J. Leach (Queensland)
- Bryan An (New South Wales)
- Cassandra-lyn Palmer (Queensland)
- Catherine George (Queensland)
- Christopher R. Inwood (Queensland)
- Cosima Scales (Queensland)
- Emily Day (Queensland)
- Evie Adasal (New South Wales)
- Heath Minjin Wilson (New South Wales)
- Jared Fountain (Queensland)
- Jenny Herbert-Smith (New South Wales)
- Jeska Valk (Queensland)
- Jessica Nothdurft (Queensland)
- Jo Cochrane (Queensland)
- Joan Hurtado (Queensland)
- Joanne Currie Nalingu (Queensland)
- Jordy Sosnowski (Queensland)
- Jude Taggart Roberts (Queensland)
- Judith Flavelle (Queensland)
- Kevin Chin (Victoria)
- Kym Mullen (Queensland)
- Lars Vester (Queensland)
- Leigh Schoenheimer (Queensland)
- Lianna Wiley (Queensland)
- Linda Zucco (Queensland)
- Lyn Bartolo (Queensland)
- Michael Cusack (New South Wales)
- Min-Woo Bang (New South Wales)
- Nick Glade-Wright (Tasmania)
- Nick Offer (Australian Capital Territory)
- Odessa Mahony-de Vries (Queensland)
- Paul Turner (Victoria)
- Paula Irene Payne (Queensland)
- Phil Hayes (Victoria)
- Phuong Ly (Queensland)
- Purple Chang (Queensland)
- Rob Bartolo (Victoria)
- Robert Gear (Western Australia)
- Steven Onley (Queensland)
- Svea Wan-Ching Chang (Victoria)
- Therese King (Queensland)
- Vanessa Wallace (Queensland)
- Violet Bond (Northern Territory)
- Zoe Sernack (New South Wales)
Zoom Out
The Redland Art Awards are supported by Redland City Council, Redland Art Gallery and Redland Yurara Art Society.
The competition brings together artists from several Australian states and territories, with the shortlisted paintings representing different approaches to the medium.
The Redland Arts Membership Program also offers active members an exclusive exhibition preview on Thursday 26 November.
What To Look For Next?
The major award, second and third prizes, and Member’s Choice Award will be announced at the gala opening on 27 November.
The public exhibition begins on 29 November and runs until 22 January 2027. The Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award will be announced by Redland Yurara Art Society committee members at 3pm on the final day.
