Opening Launch - Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026

Join us for the exhibition opening event and Award winner announcement of the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026.

The Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award is one of Australia’s major prizes for realistic portraiture. The $50,000 biennial award is non-acquisitive and is among the higher-value portrait prizes in the country, attracting hundreds of entries from many of the nation’s leading artists.

In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and the rapid proliferation of images, the biennial Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award takes on particular relevance. At a time when likeness can be simulated instantly, the Award foregrounds the enduring value of human observation, technical skill, and interpretation. It affirms portraiture as a slow, deliberate and deeply human undertaking – one grounded in attention, intimacy, care and exchange between artist and sitter, and in the fragile, complex act of seeing and being seen.

We thank the generosity of our Award patron Peter Hannan.

Opening event and Award winner announcement - Friday 11 December 2026, 5.30pm-7.30pm

5.30pm: Exhibition open

6.00pm: Welcome to Country by Djiringanj Elder Aunty Glenda Dixon and opening remarks by Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick. Award announcement with special guest speaker Dr Robert Wellington, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 judge.

Join us for the launch celebrations and enjoy a complimentary signature cocktail on arrival courtesy of North of Eden Distillery (while stocks last).

Bookings essential

Free event and exhibition

-

Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 Finalists

Adriana Beukers, Matthew Butterworth, Mary Clifton, Dagmar Cyrulla, Lyn Diefenbach, Katherine Edney, Genevieve Gadd-Carolan, Holly Field, Jaq Grantford, Sophie Hann, Gene Hart-Smith, Bronwyn Hill, Ben Howe, Kun-Ta Hsieh, Brittany Jones, Zai Kuang, Jodi Lewis, Kerry McInnis, Xanthe Muston, Paul Newton, Liam Nunan, Jenna Pickering, Evert Ploeg, Jaime Prosser, Jason Roberts, Sally Ryan, Lynn Savery, Oliver Shepherd, Dave Snook, Kate Stevens, James Stickland, Bethany Thurtell, Louan Walker, Marcus Wills and Narelle Zeller.

Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 judge:

Dr Robert Wellington
Best known to many as a judge on the hit ABC TV series Portrait Artist of the Year, Robert is an award-winning author, and an associate professor of art history at the Australian National University. He has published extensively in English and French on the art and culture of Louis XIV’s France. His book ‘Versailles Mirrored: The Power of Luxury from Louis XIV to Donald Trump’ won the 2026 ACT Literary Award for Non Fiction. He delivered the 2026 Andrew Sayers Memorial Lecture at the National Portrait Gallery, reflecting on the popularity of portrait prizes.
-

Exhibition dates 12 December 2026 - 27 February 2027

-

Supported by Bega Valley Shire Council

Images:

Brittany Jones, New Madonna, oil on linen. Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 finalist.

Dave Snook, An Echo Of Youth, oil on board. Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 finalist.

Mary Clifton, Rani at Naala Badu, oil on canvas. Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 finalist.

A professional photographer will be documenting the event. You may appear in some of the photos, which may be used by SECCA for marketing and promotional purposes.