Calleen Art Award 2026
6 September to 18 October 2026
The Calleen Art Award is an annual acquisitive painting prize and exhibition.
ACCESS to the Gallery on Friday 2 October and Saturday 3 October will be via gate entrances on Kendal and Bartlett Streets due to the Bell Beats Music & Arts Festival.
CHANGE OF HOURS Saturday 3 October. The Gallery will open 1.30pm to 7.30pm to align with the Festival. A free Bell Beats ticket is required to enter the Festival.
It presents the best of contemporary Australian painting in any style, theme or subject. The Award was established in 1977 as an acquisitive art prize by Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM to encourage originality, creativity and excellence in the visual arts, and is made possible by the generous support of the Calleen Trust.
Since its inception in 1977 by Cowra Art Patron Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM the Calleen Art Award has celebrated contemporary art practices and fostered originality, creativity and excellence in the visual arts.
The exhibition is a must-see opportunity for collectors, art lovers and those with a special interest in contemporary painting. The winning artwork will join the Calleen Collection at Cowra Regional Art Gallery.
The Calleen Art Award 2026 was open to artists across Australia and this year’s award prize is $30,000. The 2026 selection panel chose 56 artworks for this year's exhibition. The winning artwork will join the Calleen Collection at Cowra Regional Art Gallery.
Visitors to the exhibition will have the chance to vote for their favourite artwork. Funded by the Art Gallery Trust, the winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive $1,000.
Email Cassandra.Hard-Lawrie@cowra.nsw.gov.auto find out about entering the Calleen Art Award.
OPENING EVENT AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER
6pm - 8pm, Saturday 5 September 2026
TO BOOK: Register via Eventbrite or email cowraartgallery@cowra.nsw.gov.au
AWARD RECIPIENTS AND JUDGES COMMENTS
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Michael Simms Compression
Leah Thiessen Tread Softly
Jane Tonks From Forest Floor to the Heavens, Basking in the Fading Flush of Golden Light
Sarah Waghorn Walk Around the Pandani Trees
WINNER
Anthony Cahill A Question of Timing
Georgia Connolly: I kept coming back to this painting. It has a wonderful sense of mystery and storytelling, where every time you look, something new seems to emerge. I was drawn to its confident composition, its rich use of colour and texture, and the way it moves comfortably between figuration and abstraction. It's a work that rewards curiosity and close looking, and for me, that's one of the qualities of truly great painting. It is a painting that stayed with me long after I first saw it, and I am delighted to see it join the Calleen Collection.
FINALISTS