Central Belonging Celebrates What It Means To Be Part Of The Vibrant Cowra And Beyond Artistic Cohort

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)
Nikki Burns (Millthorpe)
Linda Chant (Cowra)
Muriel Corey (Cowra)
Inel Date (Cowra)
Sampa Bhakta (Forbes)
Spencer Calveley (Bathurst)
Brenda Stace Chat (Cowra)
Therese Crowe (Murringo)
Jaq Davies (Clifton Grove)
Bradley Bradley (Blayney)
Rhonda Campbell (Orange)
Diyan Coe (Cowra)
Greg Daly (Cowra)
Rebecca Dowling (Cowra)
Mary Ford (Darbys Falls)
Susan Hodge (Canowindra)
Margot Huebner (Mullion Creek)
Lesley Kind (Cowra)
Dianne Mansell (Rockley)
Elisa McLeod (Bathurst)
Shani Nottingham (Cowra)
Jillian Reidy (Grenfell)
Finn Ryan (Orange)
Jan Spanjer (Orange)
Amanda Walker (Cowra)
Felicity Wells (Blayney)
Nicole Foxall (Bathurst)
Amanda Holman (Orange)
Ken Hutchinson (Cowra)
Christine Lanham (Cowra)
Megan Markotany (Cowra)
Wayne Miles (Cowra)
Julien Playoust (Canowindra)
Karen Ritchie (Parkes)
Denise Scholz-Wulfing (Taylor’s Flat)
Ruth Stone (Carcoar)
Trisha Walsh (Canowindra)
Frances Wheeler (Canowindra)
Reece George (Woodstock)
Nancye Hudson (Cowra)
Karen James (Mount Rankin)
Cherie MacCabe (Cowra)
Nicola Mason (Napoleon Reef)
Wendy Mortimer (Orange)
Sarah Randall (Orange)
Philip Rogerson (Grenfell)
Kelly Anne Shaw (Lithgow)
Sonia Turner (Cowra)
Graham Watt (Greenethorpe)
Brenda Stace Chat (Cowra)
Leanne Wicks (Bogee)

• Topics:
• Arts and Media