History of the Wollongong Art Prize

The Wollongong Art Prize first lit up the Illawarra arts scene in 1956, long before the establishment of the Wollongong Art Gallery in 1978. Over the decades, this prestigious prize has evolved, paused, and re-emerged; always reflecting the region’s deep commitment to artistic excellence and cultural enrichment.

Early Years: 1956 - 1970s

The prize began as part of local festivals and civic celebrations, with early winners like Col Jordan, James Hall, and Lorraine Holmes contributing to the Wollongong City Council’s growing art collection. Judged by prominent figures such as James R. Jackson, Hal Missingham, and Douglas Dundas, these competitions laid the foundation for a vibrant visual arts tradition.

From 1961 to 1965, the Greater Wollongong Art Competition attracted national attention, judged by luminaries including Desiderius Orban and Tony Tuckson. The 1970s saw the Wollongong Art Purchase Exhibition, further enriching the city’s collection under the guidance of judges like James Gleeson and Daniel Thomas.

The Gallery Era: 1978 Onwards

With the opening of the Wollongong Art Gallery, Wollongong gained a dedicated space to showcase its growing collection. The Gallery became a hub for regional and national art competitions, many in partnership with the Illawarra Art Society.

James Kiwi Watercolour Prize (1994 - 2010)

Established through the James Kiwi Bequest, this biannual prize honoured the legacy of Estonian-born watercolourist James Wambola Kiwi. Celebrating excellence in traditional watercolour, the prize grew from $1,000 to $2,000 and was judged by a panel including representatives from the Australian Watercolour Institute.

Open and Local Prize Format (2012)

In 2012, the Gallery introduced a dual-format competition:

• Open Prize – $10,000 acquisitive, open to artists nationwide
• Local Prize – $2,000 non-acquisitive, celebrating Illawarra-based artists

This inclusive model broadened participation while maintaining strong community ties.

Dual Watercolour Prizes (2014 - 2016)

The competition evolved into two distinct categories:

• James Kiwi Traditional Watercolour Prize – $2,000 non-acquisitive
• Wollongong Art Gallery Contemporary Watercolour Prize – $10,000 acquisitive

Judged by respected curators Glenn Barkley and Anne Ryan, this format encouraged both classical and experimental approaches.

FLOW: Wollongong Art Gallery National Contemporary Watercolour Prize (2019 - 2023)

Launched as a $20,000 acquisitive prize, FLOW elevated the Gallery’s national profile. It championed innovation in water-based media, welcoming works in watercolour, gouache, ink, and mixed media. Judges included Hendrick Kolenberg, Dr Andrew Frost, and Beatrice Gralton. The final FLOW prize in 2023 was awarded to Natalya Hughes for Blue Girl in the Sun.

A New Chapter: The Return of the Wollongong Art Prize

Today, the Wollongong Art Prize is making a bold return, reimagined for a contemporary era. This revitalised competition embraces diversity, accessibility, and community engagement, welcoming artists across all mediums. It continues the Gallery’s proud tradition of celebrating creativity while helping to shape the future of Australian art.