Central Belonging celebrates the vibrant ‘Cowra and beyond’
Published on 21 May 2025
Central Belonging Art Award is an art prize exhibition that represents the rich diversity of the artistic communities around and within the Central West region. It showcases professional and emerging artists that are local to Cowra Shire and the surrounding areas. Artists from the following local government areas are part of the finalist exhibition: Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Hilltops, Lithgow, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.
The exhibition is an opportunity to explore the passions, imagination and inspiration of Central West creatives. It presents a range of disciplines and media, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and printmaking.
The opening night and announcement of the winner was held on Friday 9 May; an enjoyable event with close to 100 guests. The judge, Bradley Hammond, (Director, Orange Regional Gallery) selected the winning artist along with along with three Highly Commended awards. Guest speakers, Cr Cheryl Speechley (Cowra Shire) and Bradley Hammond presented the awards. The artist behind the winning artwork is Nicola Mason from Napoleon Reef, awarded $1,000 from a private donor.
Artists receiving awards were Winner, Nicola Mason (Napoleon Reef); and Highly Commended: Therese Crowe (Murringo), Greg Daly (Cowra) and Ken Hutchinson (Cowra).
The exhibition is supported by the Cowra Regional Art Gallery Advisory Committee. Artworks in the exhibition are for sale and the public can vote for a favourite work from 51 finalists. Funded by the Art Gallery Trust, the winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive $500 to be announced after the exhibition closes Sunday, 1 June 2025.
Exhibition Dates: 9 May to 1 June 2025
Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 10am – 4pm and Sun 10am – 2pm. Admission free.
CENTRAL BELONGING ART AWARD 2025 – LIST OF FINALISTS
| Lusi Austin (Cowra) |
Lesley Kind (Cowra) |
Ruth Stone (Carcoar) |
| Nikki Burns (Millthorpe) |
Dianne Mansell (Rockley) |
Trisha Walsh (Canowindra) |
| Linda Chant (Cowra) |
Elisa McLeod (Bathurst) |
Frances Wheeler (Canowindra) |
| Muriel Corey (Cowra) |
Shani Nottingham (Cowra) |
Reece George (Woodstock) |
| Inel Date (Cowra) |
Jillian Reidy (Grenfell) |
Nancye Hudson (Cowra) |
| Sampa Bhakta (Forbes) |
Finn Ryan (Orange) |
Karen James (Mount Rankin) |
| Spencer Calveley (Bathurst) |
Jan Spanjer (Orange) |
Cherie MacCabe (Cowra) |
| Brenda Stace Chat (Cowra) |
Amanda Walker (Cowra) |
Nicola Mason (Napoleon Reef) |
| Therese Crowe (Murringo) |
Felicity Wells (Blayney) |
Wendy Mortimer (Orange) |
| Jaq Davies (Clifton Grove) |
Nicole Foxall (Bathurst) |
Sarah Randall (Orange) |
| Bradley Bradley (Blayney) |
Amanda Holman (Orange) |
Philip Rogerson (Grenfell) |
| Rhonda Campbell (Orange) |
Ken Hutchinson (Cowra) |
Kelly Anne Shaw (Lithgow) |
| Diyan Coe (Cowra) |
Christine Lanham (Cowra) |
Sonia Turner (Cowra) |
| Greg Daly (Cowra) |
Megan Markotany (Cowra)
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Graham Watt (Greenethorpe)
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| Rebecca Dowling (Cowra) |
Wayne Miles (Cowra) |
Leanne Wicks (Bogee) |
| Mary Ford (Darby's Falls) |
Julien Playoust (Canowindra) |
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| Susan Hodge (Canowindra) |
Karen Ritchie (Parkes) |
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| Margot Huebner (Mullion Creek) |
Denise Scholz-Wulfing (Taylor's Flat) |
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Image credit: Winner inaugural Central Belonging Art Award 2025 with artwork created at an artist in resident program at The Foundations, Portland. Image: Nicola Mason, The floor in The Annexe, charcoal on paper, 97 x 125 cm
Media contact:
Cassandra Hard Lawrie
Gallery Director
0428 779 408
cassandra.hard.lawrie@cowra.nsw.gov.au
Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW 2794