The Waverley Art Prize celebrates excellence across the local arts community and greater Australian contemporary Visual Arts sector. From Friday 4 July, experience the incredible work of our finalists from your very own Bondi Pavilion Gallery.

Commencing in 1986, the Waverley Art Prize has a long history as a dedicated painting and drawing prize, cultivating and supporting local artists. The Prize has an illustrious alumnus of previous winners including Janet Lawrence, Wendy Sharpe, John Bokor, Tonee Messiah, Carolyn Craig and Bronte Leighton-Dore.

Waverley Art Prize is presented in partnership with Waverley Woollahra Art School, the longest running artist-run initiative in Waverley.

This year’s judges are Anne Ryan (Curator of Australian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales) and Jasper Knight (Artist).

Join us for the Closing drinks and People’s Choice Prize announcement. Details Here.

Congratulations to Rosemary Lee for winning the Open Prize with her drawing 25-2. Special mentions: Michelle Hanlin  Pareidolia (Open Prize Highly Commended), Rose Wilfred – Ngilpitji, Our Land (Open Prize Highly Commended), Peter Berner – Sparse (Mayor’s Prize and also Local Prize Highly Commended), Kaz Muramatsu – Golden Arowana (Mayor’s Prize Highly Commended), Eleanor Purseglove – Neptune Pool (Mayor’s Prize Highly Commended), Catherine Tate – Bondi’s Hot Summer Nights (Local Prize) and Peter Berner – Sparse (Local Prize Highly Commended)

Thank you to all of our 2025 finalists: Emma Anna, Peter Berner, Gina Bruce, Leah Bullen, Mark Maurangi Carrol, Armando Chant, Andrew Clarke, Nancy Constandelia, Danica Firulovic, Steve Gorman, Mark Gowing, Jody Graham, Michelle Hanlin, Amber Hearn, HEGO, Anton James, Philjames, Alun Rhys Jones, Kozy K, Matthew Kentmann, Rosemary Lee, Belem Lett, Cate Maddy, Daniel McAuley, Julian Meagher, Bette Mifsud, Tony Mighell, Kaz Muramatsu, Eleanor Purselove, Matthew Ricci, Nick Santoro, Mook Simpson, Renay Smith, Sally Stokes, Lilli Stromland, Catherine Tate, Kate Vassallo, Mirra Whale, Rose Wilfred, Joseph Williams Jungarayi.

There is still time to vote for your favourite artwork to win this year’s People’s Choice Prize when visiting the Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery.  Find out more about the exhibition here.

See the full catalogue of finalist artworks here.