Artists from across Australia will soon be able to submit their work for the 2026 Hornsby Art Prize, with entries opening on Monday, 15 June.
Now a recognised fixture on the local arts calendar, the competition is presented by Hornsby Shire Council alongside Hornsby Art Society and offers a total prize pool of $23,000.
The prize invites entries across five categories (painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and sculpture), with the overall winner receiving $10,000.
This year’s finalists and winners will be chosen by artists Guido Maestri and Mirra Whale, who have been appointed as judges for the 2026 program.
Mayor Warren Waddell said the event continues to connect the community with contemporary Australian art while supporting local creatives.
“The Hornsby Art Prize provides our residents with a fantastic opportunity to experience contemporary art right here in Hornsby Shire,” Mayor Waddell said.
“It also offers our own local artists the chance to showcase their work on a national stage. I encourage any artist who is considering entering to submit their artworks and be a part of this exciting event.”
Entries close on Thursday, 20 August and must be lodged online. The competition is open to Australian residents aged 18 and over, with works required to have been completed within the past two years and not previously shown in an art prize.
Alongside the national categories, local entrants can also nominate for the Hornsby Shire Local Artist Award.
Selected finalists will feature in a public exhibition at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre between 16 October and 1 November 2026. The exhibition will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, with free admission.
More information, including entry details, is available through the Hornsby Art Prize.
In 2025, Sydney artist Silke Raetze won the Hornsby Art Prize for her work, Green Tea with Alex, a painting of her artist friend. She was among the 71 finalists, chosen from 415 entries submitted from across Australia.
Last year’s judges were Tim Braham, Director of Gosford Regional Gallery, and artist Stephen Hall.
Other 2025 Award Recipients include:
- Local Artist Award: Roslyn Kean (Trapped Beneath the Surface – hand-printed woodblock on paper)
- Photography Award: Tamara Dean (Realms)
- Sculpture Award: Rachel Lucas (The Survivor)
- Drawing Award: Claire Tozer (Flow)
- Printmaking Award: Anne Starling (Home Comforts)
- Painting Award: Katherine Edney (I Want to Lie in the Clouds With You)
