Welcome to the Inaugural Bundanoon Portrait Prize and Exhibition 2026.
The Bundanoon Community Association, in collaboration with its subcommittee Arts Bundanoon, is proud to present the first-ever Bundanoon Portrait Prize and Exhibition — a vibrant new celebration of portraiture and the people of the Southern Highlands.
This exciting event will bring together artists from across Australia to capture the faces, stories, and spirit of the Southern Highlands, past and present. Whether you're a professional artist or an emerging talent, the Bundanoon Portrait Prize offers a unique opportunity to showcase your work in one of New South Wales' most picturesque and creative communities.
The exhibition will run from 6th –20th March 2026 at the White Gallery, Bundanoon. For further information please email us at bundanoon.portraitprize@bca.asn.au
Exhibition Opening 6th March
The exhibition will open on 6th March and feature live music from “The Trouble with Johnny”, and the announcement of the major awards.
Awards and Recognition
We are delighted to offer the following prizes:
First Place: $ 4,000
Honorary Mention: $ 500
Aspiring Youth Award: $ 100
People’s Choice: $ 500
People’s Choice will be announced at the end of the exhibition on 20th March.
These musicians have been performing for over 40 years (scary) mainly in the central west area of NSW. Their love of all music genres has led them to perform in many various musical situations including pub gigs, corporate gigs, cabaret, musical theatre, social functions, festivals and conventions.Their aim is to entertain and please everyone with their versatile sound that can change from an infectious dance beat, a romantic french ballad, or to the jive of a jazz big band.
The Trouble with Johnny
With thanks to our Judges
Our judging panel is composed of respected leaders in the Australian art world, bringing credibility and prestige to the Bundanoon Portrait Prize:
• Jane Cush – Jane Cush graduated from ANU School of Art with 1st class honours in 1998. After finishing art school, Environmenta was a sculpture park she curated in the Southern Highlands for 5 years. She became director of Goulburn Regional Art Gallery for 8 years. In 2016 Jane took up the role of Artistic Director at the Canberra Glassworks , then acting CEO before returning to the Southern Highlands. In 2020 she was appointed Director and Curator of the SHAC in Robertson, a role she held for 4 years.
• Pam Tippett – studied drawing and painting at the Studio Simi in Florence, Italy. She has been painting professionally for most of her adult life. Although mostly known for her still life paintings, she has been a finalist in the Archibald, Doug Moran and Portia Geach portrait prizes and painted commissioned portraits. She was awarded an Elizabeth Greenshields Grant in 1978, won the Eutick Memorial Still Life Award in 2010, and was invited Artist-in-Residence at the Margaret Olley Art Centre at the Tweed Regional Gallery in 2019. She has numerous solo exhibitions and participated in many group shows. Her work is in private and public collections in Australia and overseas. She is represented by Australian Galleries, Sydney and Melbourne.
With thanks to our sponsors:
Bruce & Fiona Pryor
