Local Contemporary Art Prize
Now in its eleventh year, the Local Contemporary Art Prize is the premier local art prize for the Sunshine Coast region.
This highly anticipated annual exhibition showcases, and celebrates, contemporary artists residing on the Sunshine Coast — from emerging, to mid-career, to established visual artists.
Artists living within the region, working across all mediums, are invited to submit 2D and 3D works for the prize, and forty finalists will be selected for the exhibition — the winners sharing in $17,000 prize money.
Exhibition Dates
11 Apr to 8 Jun 2025
Tue–Fri, 10am–4pm
Weekends, 10am–2pm
Get to know your local artists: Local Contemporary 2025 Speed Profiles
Want to know who's who and what they do?
Make sure you come along to a night of fast-paced presentations by 12 of this year's exhibiting Local Contemporary Art Prize finalists!
When: Wed 7 May, 6-8pm
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery
Bankfoot House Paint Out with Marvene Ash
Join Local Contemporary Art Prize finalist, Marvene Ash, at Bankfoot House for an intimate en plein air experience at the heritage listed site.
Enjoy morning tea with scones on arrival while Marvene speaks to her work and artistic practice. Then if you would like, take a tour of the historic house before settling in to sketch and paint on the scenic grounds.
When: Fri 9 May, 10am-1pm
Where: Bankfoot House, Glass House Mountains
Strange and Unusual: Thinking outside of the box
Kids, come and learn to manipulate cardboard into complex 3D forms with Local Contemporary Art Prize Finalist Samantha Taylor.
This hands-on children's workshop looks at the use of cardboard sheeting to make complex sculptural 3 dimensional forms. Children will explore the theme of 'strange and unusual'.
During this creative workshop children get to play with craft and abstract-form making.
Suitable for ages 7+
Cost: $25 Limited places, bookings required.
All materials are provided. Please wear suitable art-making clothes.
When: Sat 10 May, 10am-12pm
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery
Creative Team
- Guest Judge — Claire Sourgnes, Director Ipswich Art Gallery
- Gallery Director — Jo Duke
- Exhibition Officer — Rachel Weldon
- Senior Curator Collections — Nina Shadforth
Acknowledgements
Local Contemporary Art Prize is presented by Caloundra Regional Gallery and the Friends of the Regional Gallery, Caloundra.
The prize is supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Mary Henzell Investments, Local Agent Caloundra, The Friends of the Gallery and Caloundra and Community Bank Caloundra, Bendigo Bank.
There is level access from the car park to the gallery. Disabled toilet facilities are also available.
A series of accessible tools are available to "know before you go" to understand the venue accessibility ahead of time. View the 360-degree virtual tour, sensory and accessibility guide, keyword sign and communication boards. Find out more.
By car
Located in the middle of Caloundra, off Bulcock Street (parking available). Caloundra parking map.
By bus
Sunbus provides frequent services throughout the Caloundra coastal area and the Sunshine Coast. For timetable information contact Translink on 131 230 or visit Translink.
By train
Queensland Rail operates a regular service to and from Brisbane, which stops at the hinterland townships of Beerburrum, Glass House Mountains, Beerwah, Landsborough and Mooloolah. Sunbus operates connections to coastal areas. For timetable information contact Translink on 131 230 or visit Translink.
This is an indoor visual art exhibition.
Audience members can choose the duration of their experience, we suggest allowing 30 – 45 minutes.
There is limited seating within the gallery.
Refreshments are available nearby.
This experience is suitable for all ages and abilities - it is inspirational, insightful and culturally significant.