2024 Emerald Art Awards winners announced

Recipients of the annual Central Highlands Regional Council Art Awards – Emerald have been announced.

The official award presentation happened on Friday night 2 August 2024. 

Council received 135 entries across seven categories from 91 artists. 

Acting General Manager Communities Adrian Burns commented on how well-supported this event was.  

‘There is amazing talent on display across all categories, with many new artists and familiar names,’ he said. 

‘Congratulations to the winners, and all entrants. It truly is an outstanding exhibition.’  

Voting for the People’s Choice Award will continue until midnight on 18 August 2024 via council’s Have Your Say, Central Highlands platform. The winner will be announced via social media on 20 August 2024. 

All entries will be on display at the Emerald Art Gallery from Monday to Friday between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm until 11 September 2024. 

Category 1: Easel Based Works  

First: Tara Lewis – Emerald Garden  

Second: Natasha Stanton – Dance of the Waratah  

Highly Commended: Lawrie Stanton – The Hills of Home  

Highly Commended: Jeanne-Marie Niehaus – Contemplation  

Category 2: Works on Paper  

First: Jeanne-Marie Niehaus – Excelsa  

Second: Carmen Beezely-Drake – Carnarvon Country II  

Highly Commended: Bloss Hickson – Never too early for Sunnies  

Highly Commended: Tearnie Gill – Hidden Struggle  

Category 3: Three Dimensional & Fibre Works  

First: Carol Forster – Butterflies & Dragonflies in the Garden  

Second: Sue Frisch – Opening Night  

Highly Commended: Hugo Spooner: Anguish  

Highly Commended: Raelene Bock & Michelle Gray: Evolution  

Category 4: Photography  

First: Diane Armstrong – Misty Morning, Macedon VIC  

Second: Magdalena Slavikova – Elegance on water  

Category 5: Digital Art  

First: Robert Reid – Abstract Black & coloured shapes  

Category 6: Juvenile 13 – 18 years  

First: Gracie Gersbach – China Blue  

Second: Erika Neville – All stitched together  

Highly Commended: Aimee Atkinson – Javan  

Highly Commended: Charlenee Bottenbruch – Dancer in the night  

Category 7: Junior 12 years and under  

First: Ella-May Ryder – Mum  

Second: Rosie Pace – Splat  

Highly Commended: George Roberts – Sticky Beak.  

Highly Commended: Erin Matusch – Silver Spirals  

CHRC Local Artist award:  

Camille Swallow – Red-Raw  

CHRC Acquisitive Prize:  

Roslyn Head – Wild