Bombala Art Prize – A day of painting en plein air

Join us in Bombala for a day of al fresco painting at the Bombala Art Prize. We will spend the day painting along the beautiful Bombala Riverside Park, surrounded by the colours of autumn. Enjoy a friendly, creative day outdoors, meet other artists, and take part in a community celebration of art and place. All artists are invited to share their work at the 2026 Bombala Art Prize Exhibition. 

How is the Prize determined?

Buy a ticket to the award dinner to be eligible to cast your vote for the 2026 Bombala Art Prize!

Everyone at the dinner has the chance to vote, people’s choice selects the winner.

Children’s Prize (a painting kit with paints, brushes and canvases) will be chosen by a panel of artists.

Key Information

• When: Saturday, 18 April 2026 9:30am - 10:00pm
• Where: Bombala Swimming Pool Riverside park, Bombala, followed by a dinner at the Bombala Exhibition Hall.
• Who can register: Artists of all experience levels and ages are welcome to take part.
• Prize: Total prize pool of $20,000. This is one of Australia's most lucrative painting awards. 
  • First Prize - $17,000
  • Second Prize - $2,000  
  • Third Prize - $1,000
  • Children’s Prize -  A painting kit with paints, brushes and canvases

Event Schedule

• 9.30am. Artist check in opens at the Swimming Pool Riverside car park. (Collect
  preordered Lucy box)
• 10.00am. “En Plein Air” painting event begins, select a spot around the riverside walk
  and settle in!
• 4.00pm. Works to be handed in by 4pm, at the local Exhibition grounds hall for
  hanging.
• 6.30pm. Award dinner commences, drinks (bar purchases) dinner, viewing works, and casting your vote!
• 8.30pm. Cut off for voting, and counting begins to select the winners.
• 8.45pm. Winners announced (adults and youth prize)
• 9.00pm. Auction of the works artists are happy to sell.
• 10.00pm. Last drinks and event concludes

Terms & Conditions

• Artists registrations (adult) are limited to 100 places. Register now to secure your spot.
• Artists registrations will close once the ticket allocation is exhausted.
• Youth registrations are free (for school age painters) All youth entrants must register, state their age, and be accompanied by an adult for both the painting session and the dinner. The youth prize will be selected by a panel of artists.
• Ticketed attendees to the award dinner are eligible to cast one vote (1) for their
  favourite artwork. The vote cutoff is 8.30pm.
• You must be there and attend the dinner to cast your vote.
• Painting must not commence before 10am on the day.
• No electronic equipment or tools may be used to produce the painting.

Cancellations

• Within 7 days of event, cancellations are not refundable.
• Prior to 7 days of the event, cancellations will be refunded less a 20% processing fee.
• Should the event be cancelled, a full refund will be given.
• Should the event be rescheduled, the option of a refund or re-entering will be given.