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Gawler Art 2026 Prize Terms and Conditions

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About the Prize

The Gawler Art Prize is a biennial South Australian art competition celebrating excellence

across a wide range of visual art mediums.

The 1st Prize is $5000 and it is acquisitive and will be acquired by the 1st prize sponsor the

Town of Gawler.

 

Prizes

  • 1st Prize: $5000 (Acquisitive) – Sponsored by the Town of Gawler

  • 2nd Prize: $500  Sponsored by MP James Agness Member for Light

  • 3rd Prize: $300 – Sponsored by Gawler Community Gallery

Award winners will be announced at the official opening at the gallery on the 23rd  October  2026 at 6.00pm.

1. Artist Eligibility

  • Open to South Australian residents only.

  • Open to members and non‑members of the Gallery.

  • Past Winners Exclusion Rule; Any artist who has won 1st Prize in the Gawler Art Prize is not eligible to enter the next Gawler Art Prize immediately following their win. After sitting out that one competition, they become eligible to enter again in the next year that the Gawler Art Prize is held.

 

2. Artwork Eligibility & Theme

  • The theme is open.

  • Previously entered artworks are not permitted. No artwork that has been submitted to any past Gawler Art Prize may be re-entered.

  • One artwork per artist.

  • Artwork must be the artist’s own original work.  AI may be used only to enhance material the entrant has personally created, this includes photographs they have taken and digital artwork they have drawn or produced themselves.

  • For works that include photographic elements, at least 60% of the final piece must come from the entrant’s own photographs. Fully AI generated images with no photographic origin are not permitted. All AI use must be declared.

  • Artwork must be for sale.

  • Artwork must meet all presentation and hanging requirements listed below.

Entry Fees

  • $12 – Gallery Concession members

  • $18 – Gallery members

  • $32 – Non‑members

Entries submitted online have payment as part of the process, and those submitting a paper entry will need to make payment by bank transfer latest 3 days prior to drop off artworks. 

Artwork Requirements

Size & Mediums

Permitted mediums: Watercolour, Oils, Acrylics, Gouache, Pastels, Charcoal, Pencil, Ink, Printmaking, Digital Fine Art (printed), Photography, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Ceramics, Textile Art (fine‑art based).

Hanging works:

  • Maximum width: 80cm

  • Maximum height: 1.6 metres

  • Triptychs/multipanel works must be sold as a single unit; individual panels cannot be sold separately. Total combined width must not exceed 80cm, and the work must be able to be hung using D-rings.

Sculptures:

  • Maximum footprint: 40cm diameter

  • Maximum height: 40cm

  • Must be able to sit safely on a gallery plinth.

  • May not weigh more than 4 kg

Presentation Standards

  • All hanging works must have generous D‑rings (minimum 30mm × 12mm).

  • Stretched canvases must have painted edges or be framed.

  • Frames and glass must be clean and undamaged.

  • Artwork must be ready to hang using the Gallery’s hanging system only. Artworks without D rings already attached will NOT be accepted.

  • Each artwork must have the following written on the back

    • Artist name

    • Artwork title

    • Medium

    • Sale price

Entry Form Deadline

Entry forms must be submitted by 11th of October either online, via our call out for entries tab on our website, or in person at the Gallery. If submitting a paper entry form, payment must be made by bank transfer (preferred), or at the gallery when submitting your entry. Payment on the day of drop off is no longer possible. Please note that due to space constraints the number of entries is capped, and once the cap is reached no further entries will be accepted.

Delivery of Artwork

Artworks must be delivered on: Sunday 18th October, between 11am and 1pm.

If you cannot deliver at the scheduled drop‑off time, please contact the Gallery well in advance to discuss alternatives. Late drop‑off is not possible. Early drop‑off (a day or so prior) may be available by prior arrangement.

Pickup of Artwork

Unsold and non‑winning artworks must be collected on: Sunday 13th Dec, between 11am and 1.00pm No early collection is permitted.

Sales & Commission

25% commission for Gallery members | 33% commission for non‑members Sale price must include commission.

Insurance & Liability

Artists are responsible for insuring their artwork during transit and display. The Gallery accepts no liability for loss or damage. All due care will be taken.

Roster Requirement

As the Gallery is run solely by volunteers, all artists exhibiting in the Gawler Art Prize must:

  • Complete two rostered shifts at the gallery, during the exhibition period. Artists are encouraged to complete more than two shifts if possible.

Judging Criteria

Artistic and technical merit Assessment is based on the artist’s skill, command of their chosen medium, and overall technique.

Originality and creativity Judges look for a fresh perspective, innovative thinking, and creative approaches to subject matter or technique.

Conceptual strength Evaluation focuses on how effectively the artwork communicates its idea, theme, or narrative, regardless of subject matter.

Composition and visual impact Consideration is given to the strength of the composition, coherence of the work, and its immediate visual presence.

Important Clarification

The Gawler Art Prize does not have a theme. References to Gawler, including local landmarks, history, community identity, or regional subject matter, do not provide any advantage and are not considered a factor in judging.

All artworks are judged solely on the criteria above, with no preference given to subject matter relating to Gawler or the surrounding region.

Conditions & Disputes

Acceptance of artworks is at the sole discretion of the Gallery Committee. The Committee’s decision is final. By submitting an entry, you agree to abide by all conditions of the Gawler Art Prize as outlined above.

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