25th edition of the Hunter Emerging Art Prize, with winners announced at the opening event.
Newcastle Art Space is hosting the Hunter Emerging Art Prize (HEAP) this winter, with the winners announced at the opening on Friday 31 July. The exhibition then runs through to Sunday 30 August, so you've got a full month to walk through the finalists' work after the big night.
This is the 25th edition of the prize, which is run by Newcastle Art Space for artists not yet formally represented by a major commercial gallery. It's widely seen as the leading art prize for emerging artists in the Hunter, and this year's focus is on innovation and risk-taking in materials and techniques. The entries were open to artists over 16 living in Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, MidCoast, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton or Upper Hunter, for works completed since 1 January 2025 and up to 120cm x 120cm x 120cm.
A panel judges a Major Prize alongside section winners in Experimental, Painting, Sculpture/3D, Works on Paper/Photomedia and Ceramics. There's also a Youth Prize for artists under 25 and a Prize for an artist with a disability, the latter supported by the Lee Family in memory of Fina Lee. The finalists hang at Newcastle Art Space, and the gallery takes a 30% commission on sales.
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The opening is on Friday 31 July from 6pm to 8pm, which is when the winners are announced. The exhibition stays open until Sunday 30 August at Newcastle Art Space, 91 Chinchen Street, O Block, Newcastle, 2297.
