Wyndham Art Prize returns for 2022

The prestigious annual Wyndham Art Prize is now open for artists to enter their new or existing works.  

The Wyndham Art Prize attracts some of the best artists from across Australia and offers opportunities for local and emerging artists. Entries close on 1 April 2022.

Wyndham Art Gallery established the Wyndham Art Prize in 2015 and it has grown in prominence every year, with an increasing number of artists shortlisted for exhibition.

The 2021 Wyndham Art Prize attracted the highest number entries, totalling more than 300 works, of which 84 artists were selected as finalists, including 20 who were local to Wyndham.

The artists are shortlisted by Wyndham Art Gallery curators, Dr Megan Evans and Olivia Poloni. The judging is done by independent curators and art professionals.

Wyndham City’s Creative City portfolio holder Cr Marcel Mahfoud said: “The Wyndham Art Prize is our Gallery’s premier exhibition and is a wonderful opportunity for both new and upcoming artists as well as seasoned artists to exhibit their works.”

“This year’s judges, Maree Clarke, Haley Millar Baker and Andy Butler, will have a difficult time assessing the works.”

“We have a really wonderful culturally and linguistically diverse community in Wyndham and we want to reflect that in the gallery programming. We encourage local artists in Wyndham to enter.”

The prize accepts artworks from any form, including (but not limited to) sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, textiles, photography, installation, digital sound and video.

Artworks are shortlisted on their own merits, and this has enabled the exhibition to showcase entries that are diverse and unique. Last year over 90 works were exhibited.

“This means that both emerging and established artists from all backgrounds are exhibited side-by-side, a priority for Wyndham Art Gallery,” Cr Mahfoud said.

Finalists and prizes will be announced on 19 April 2022. The exhibition showcasing the entries will be open from 2 July until 7 August 2022 at the Wyndham Art Gallery.

As part of the 2022 prize, Wyndham City is offering two monetary prizes, a $15,000 non-acquisitive prize, and a $5,000 acquisitive Local Emerging Art Prize (LEAP).  

For more information visit: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/arts-culture/wyndham-art-gallery/wyndham-art-prize-2022