One of the region’s most prestigious art competitions is returning to showcase the Bellingen Shire’s finest artistic talents.
The E J Mantova Art Prize comprises four categories:
The Marie Warwick Memorial Open Prize welcomes submissions in any medium and subject, reflecting the diverse artistic expression in our community.
The Landscape Prize pays homage to Mantova’s own passion for capturing our region’s natural beauty.
The Sculpture/3D Prize celebrates three-dimensional artistic innovation.
The Miniature Prize is a new avenue for artistic expression in a more intimate format.
Each category offers a first prize of $500 and a second prize of $200.
Artworks will be judged on three criteria with equal weighting: quality of composition, creativity and originality, and demonstration of technical skill.
Entries open on February 9, 2026 and close on March 16, 2026.
The winner will be announced at the exhibition opening on April 11 at the Bellingen Gallery & Framing Studio, where the entries will be on display for a month. This extended exhibition format allows the community to celebrate local artistic talent and provides artists with opportunities for exposure and sales.
The prize-winning artworks and the winner of the People’s Choice Award will also be displayed in the Pavilion over the Bellingen Show weekend, 9 and 10 May 2026.
The E J Mantova Art Prize is named after Bellingen’s first professional artist. Ernest John Mantova arrived in the area in the 1930 and spent two decades capturing our landscape’s beauty and mentoring younger artists. Several works by E J Mantova are currently on display in the Bellingen Library.
More information will be available on the Bellingen Show website