Port Stephens Art Prize 2025 Categories

Art Prize Categories

Painting

The application of pigments (oil, acrylic, watercolour, gouache, ink, pastel) to a surface to create an image, design or decoration. Includes Printmaking and Drawing.
 1st Prize – $2,000 Sponsor Nelson Bay Real Estate
2nd Prize – $500 Sponsor Rotary Club of Salamander Bay

Highly Commended – The Original Tea Gardens Ferry voucher $95

Mixed Media

Artworks which are composed of several different media or materials, such as collage and paint including mosaic.
1st Prize – $1,500 Sponsor Love Oil Collection
2nd Prize – $500 Port Stephens Council

Highly Commended –  The Original Tea Gardens Ferry voucher $95

Port Stephens Residents

Any two-dimensional work by a local artist within the Port Stephens Council area.  Works in any medium.
1st Prize – $1,500 Sponsor Kate Washington MP and Meryl Swanson MP

2nd Prize – $500 Sponsor Port Stephens Rentals

Highly Commended – Lion Studios Voucher

Miniatures

A two-dimensional work that has a perimeter that must not exceed 40cm (e.g. 10 x 10cm) excluding frame. Works in any medium.
1st Prize – $1,000 Sponsor PSCAC – Painters
2nd Prize $  500 Sponsor PSCAC – Painters

Highly Commended – $100 Sponsor Platinum Dental

Photography

In addition to the general conditions of entry. The work must be an original photograph taken by the entrant and any post-production must be the work of the photographer. Images created with Al technology are ineligible. Images which are edited using AI are acceptable if it does not change the content or subject of the image. 

1st Prize – $1, 000 Sponsor Port Stephens Council

2nd Prize – $500 Sponsor Nikki and Nigel Waters

Highly Commended – “Len’s Journal” and Better Photography Magazine online subscription 

Earth and Fibre

Fibre as a decorative two-dimensional art form. Any fabrics and fibres may be used to produce a work which is non wearable and must be able to be hung for display.

Work may be a combination of Earth and Fibre.

Earth – wall-mounted pottery which may be sculptural or a functional ceramic art to be hung on vertical surfaces, combining aesthetics and texture, weighing under 5kg.

1st Prize – $1000 Sponsor Curtis & Blair
2nd Prize -$500 Sponsor Port Stephens Council

Highly Commended – $100 Bunnings voucher

People’s Choice Award

All entries are open for selection in the People’s Choice award that will be determined by the public during the 10-day exhibition.

1st Prize – $250 Sponsor Nelson Bay Bowling Club

CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY

  1. Free choice of subject matter.
  2. Entry fee of $25 per entry to be paid by direct deposit via the online entry form. Maximum of 4 entries per individual. 2 entries maximum per category.
  3. ALL ENTRIES must be available for Sale: Commission of 30%. will apply for all works sold.
  4. All entries must be the original work of the artist and completed within the last two years.
  5. Each entry must be suitably strung with cord or wire attached with D-rings, and ready to hang.
    Wet Paintings or improperly strung items will not be accepted.
  6. Fibre works to be non-wearable only. Work should be ready to hang, including support rods if needed. Longest side a maximum of 1 meter. Work may combine earth and fibre.
  7. Earth – wall-mounted pottery which may be sculptural or a functional ceramic art to be hung on vertical surfaces, combining aesthetics and texture, weighing under 5kg. Work may combine earth and fibre.
  8. Entry details for each work to be printed and stuck firmly to the back top right hand side of each painting. Details must be exactly as registered, in order to match details in the Catalogue. Your confirmation email will contain the label for each entry. Please print this label and place it on the top right-hand side of your entry.
  9. All categories size limit is than no one side to be longer than 105cm which includes frame, 1 only to be of maximum size, all others smaller. Miniatures to be image size 10cm x 10cm or any combination that does not exceed the perimeter of 40cm excluding frame.
  10. Triptych and diptych configurations must fit within the above specifications, ie combined size of panels to be no greater than 105cm on any one side.
  11. Unacceptable works include:  3D work or attachments, and other forms of art such as pottery, sculpture over the weight limit and not able to be hung vertically. Works that breach copyright etc.
  12. Transport and packaging of the entries is the responsibility of the artist.
    1. Hand Delivery of  work Thursday 13th March 9:00am – 11:00am
    2. Art Works by Courier to arrive by Monday 10th March. Courier/Postal entries to be addressed to “Port Stephens Community Arts Centre, 100 Shoal Bay Road, Nelson Bay, 2315, NSW”
    3. Return prepaid labelled packaging must be provided suitable to allow the safe return of unsold work.
    4. It is recommended that registrants provide their own insurance.
    5. Art Work is displayed at the Artists own risk, to the extent permitted by law. Entrants indemnify and shall keep indemnified, the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre, and its management, against all claims, losses and / or carriage that may be suffered.
    6. Collection of unsold works from 1:30pm – 3:00pm on 23rd March. Courier packages will be available for collection from 2pm on 24th March 2025. Works unclaimed by 5th April will be disposed of.
  13. The Judge’s decision is final. No correspondence or discussion will occur in regard to these decisions.
  14. The Art Prize Committee reserves the right to declare ineligible any work that does not conform to the Conditions of Entry. Entry fees are not refundable.
  15. Entrants authorise and agree to permit the Art Prize to publish their names, to photograph the work and reproduce images of any work selected for the purpose of promotion of the Port Stephens Art Prize. This includes on Print Media, Facebook, Instagram.
    These permissions acknowledge that the artist remains the copyright holder.
  16. Payment for works sold during the Art Prize will be paid into the artist’s nominated bank account by 7th April 2025.
  17. All entries are also eligible for the People’s Choice award.
  18. Mosaic acceptable in mixed media category. Maximum 600mm on one side. Fitted with wire and D Hooks for hanging.
  19. Entries must be in by 21 February 2025