EIGHT Redlands Coast artists are among 50 finalists selected from almost 450 entries for the 2026 Redland Art Awards.
The national contemporary painting prize carries a primary acquisitive award of $20,000, meaning the winning artwork will become part of the Redland Art Gallery Collection.
Finalists’ works will be exhibited at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland, from Sunday, November 29 until January 22, with the major winners to be revealed at a gala event on Friday, November 27.
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said this year’s entries were up more than 10 per cent on the 2024 competition.
“The finalists – including eight from Redlands Coast – will have their work showcased during an exhibition at Redland Art Gallery from late November,” Cr Talty said.
“There is a stunning variety of unique perspectives and artistic painting styles among the works, and it will be a must-see exhibition.”
The awards offer a total prize pool of more than $30,000, including $6000 for second prize, $3000 for third prize, the $1000 Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award and the $500 Redland Arts Membership Program Member’s Choice Award.
Australasian art and culture magazine VAULT Editor-in-Chief Alison Kubler will select the major, second and third prize winners.
Ms Kubler is also a Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees member and principal of Renshaw & Kubler Art Consultants.
The 50 finalists were chosen by a pre-selection panel comprising Brisbane artist and lecturer Warraba Weatherall, art historian and curator Dr Holly Arden, and Museum of Brisbane Director of Exhibitions Naomi Takeifanga.
RAMP members will be offered a special preview of the exhibition on November 26, before the gala opening the following night.
The Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Redland Yurara Art Society, will be announced at 3pm on January 22.
The finalist field includes artists from across the country, with works ranging from intimate portraits and landscapes to still lifes and contemporary conceptual paintings.
For details on the finalists and their works, visit the Redland Art Gallery website.
