Entries opened 16 February 2026 and closed 10 May 2026.
This year’s Judges are Cassandra Bird, owner, director and curator of Cassandra Bird Gallery, and Janet Laurence, artist and winner of the first Waverley Art Prize in 1986.
The Waverley Art Prize 2026 Exhibition is on display at Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery 3 July 2026 – 23 August 2026.
Prizes
- Open Prize: $15,000 and acquisition into the Waverley Council Collection
- The Mayor’s Prize: $2,500 and acquisition into the Waverley Council Collection
- The Local Prize: $1500 non-acquisitive
- The People’s Choice Prize: $500 non-acquisitive
Key Dates
- Entries open: 16 February 2026
- Entries close: 10 May 2026
- Finalists announcement: Week of 1 June 2026
- Prize announcements: 3 July 2026
- Exhibition dates: 3 July – 23 August 2026
- People’s Choice Prize announcement: Week of 24 August 2026
History
The Waverley Art Prize has been running since 1986 as a painting and drawing prize. This year the Waverley Art Prize is returning to the Bondi Pavilion Gallery as Bondi’s staple event in the local and national art prize calendar. The Waverley Art Prize is aimed for early to mid-career artists. The Open Prize and Mayor’s Prize-winning works are acquired in the Waverley Council Collection. The funds raised through the art prize support Waverley Woollahra Art School and help them sustain their role as the longest running artist run initiative in Waverley. This year is the 40th anniversary of the Waverley Art Prize.
Winners
The Local Prize
My Grandfather was a Stablehand by Tara McIntosh
My Grandfather was a Stablehand by Tara McIntosh
Open Prize
As if I would be proud of you by Fergus Berney-Gibson
As if I would be proud of you by Fergus Berney-Gibson
The Mayor’s Prize
Under the warmth of the sun by Abby McCarthy
Under the warmth of the sun by Abby McCarthy
Highly Commended
Open Prize
My Grandfather was a Stablehand by Tara McIntosh
My Grandfather was a Stablehand by Tara McIntosh
Finalists
Artworks are available for purchase here from 3 July 2026 – 23 August 2026.
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