HEAP exhibition view Photo by Megan Srisurapon front ceramic Jenna Lotter
Hunter Emerging Art Prize 2026
The exhibition is open to view until 30 August 2026
Fri 31st July - Sun 30th August 2026
OPENING EVENT 31 July 2026 from 6PM
The Hunter Emerging Art Prize (HEAP) is back in 2026 and this year we celebrate 25 Years of the Art Prize! We appreciate the support of our amazing sponsors:
Maclean's Booksellers, Pettigrew, Wilton Lemke Stewart,
Stevens Conveyancing, This is Not Art, HIC Services,
Clay Room, BJs Workwear, Bevan Leach Physiotherapy,
Lee Family in Memory of Fina Lee, and the
Squires Family in Memory of Jody Robinson.
The HEAP 2026 OVERALL Prize winner was Nick Barlow
Painting Nick Fintan
Sculpture Laura Bishop
Ceramics Tobias Spitzer
Experimental Pete Parslow
Works on paper Jacqueline Cook
Disability Constance McInerney
Youth Melody Suranyi
Images below feature photography by Megan Srisurapon
SELECTED FINALISTS 2026 listed and or click link to images and statements.
Artist Full Name | Artwork Title |
Adam Faulkner | Untitled |
Annette Tubnor | Lemon wonders |
Beverley Gay-Deeming | Pierced Vessel |
Beverley Gay-Deeming | Trace Elements (Analogue) |
Bridget Whitehead | Arrondir |
Cherie Daley | Hugh Study |
Chloe Hooper | Smile For Me |
Chris Proctor | Black swan flies over the lake of inevitable human truth |
Christiana Monored | Artemis |
Clare Weeks | Pathographic Studies #04 |
Constance McInerney | "Air hunger" |
Corenne Earl | Blue Shield |
Dane Tobias | Le Combeur De Plage En Violette |
Daniel Rivers | Clearing Skies - Darby St |
Deborah Lincoln | Shadows Secret |
Eileen McGovern | Do you dig it? |
Eira Chidgey | The Pump House |
Eira Chidgey | Out Of The Body, Into The Earth |
Elizabeth McDonald | As Above, So Below |
Grant Vercoe | Port of Newcastle No 005. Detail No 002. |
Hannah Bernadette | Where the water holds |
Harley Kirkwood | Cowfolk |
Holly Leonardson | Ocean Object # 2 |
Howard James | The Green Chair |
Indeah Clark | Myth in making |
Isabelle Emmerton | Plating Up |
Jackie Maundrell Hall | Before The Storm |
Jacqueline Cook | Discarded |
Jane Kerrigan | BLUE MOON |
Janice Hanicar | integrifolia Julia Marie |
Jenna Lotter | Sea Vessel |
Jenna Lotter | Nurture |
Jennifer Hankin | Luncharm Zoo - Frog |
Jessica Gilbert | Wednesday Night |
Jonathan Osmond | Time Sit With Me |
Jono Everett | Sacred |
Julie Brondino | Warmth Rising From Earth |
Justin Lees | Clerk of the Course |
Katie Ellen Wilkins | When a flower sleeps |
Keegan Evans | Line of Sight |
Kimberly Swan | The Off Season |
Kira Ann Phoenix | Glutton for Pleasure |
Laura Bishop | In the long hallway, everyone's doors were closed |
Leslie F Mills | The swim |
Lorien Saunders | Show and Tell |
Mahalia Leckner | In the backyard |
Max Blanch | Haunching - The Butterfly (after 'Down on His Luck') |
Megan Farquhar | Dash & Dot |
Megan Farquhar | Grieving Dad |
Mel Jhey | Big Mouth |
Melanie Meggs | I found her in the negative space in between my thoughts |
Melody Suranyi | Starving Artist |
Michael Hannah | Misty Mountain Hop |
Nicholas Barlow | How To Tell Your Feeling Defensive |
Nick Fintan | Nothing Urgent |
Pete Parslow | House Warming |
Sandra Fisher | Kaiseki Ryori |
Sandra Mary Fisher | Kooragang From Whibayganba |
Sarah Gordon | Small Extravagance #3 |
Sophie Arvidson | Caught The Sun In Your Skin |
Stephanie Vella | Peace (symbol & gesture) |
Stuart Smith | Dark Draft |
Tahni De'Athe | ode to the moon |
Tate A Luckensmeyer | THE VERY BREATH IN MY LUNGS |
Tobias Spitzer | Cloud Diptych |
Vince Rush | FIRST IMPRESSIONS |
Zoe Roxburgh | Life Balance, 3:20pm |
The 2026 HEAP Judges:
Dr Olivier Krischer is a historian and curator. He is currently Lecturer and Program Convenor for the Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership at the UNSW School of Art and Design.
Courtney Novak has an extensive background in curating, creative production and marketing.
She is the Deputy Director of Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Jo O'Toole is an accomplished curator and artist she is Curator at Gosford Regional Gallery and the Curatorial Mentor on the NAS Mentorship program.
We appreciate the support of The Lock-Up, Muloobinba/Newcastle, who have supported Olivier with accommodation through their Artist in Residence Program during his stay.
