The River of Art Prize has become one of the region’s most significant visual arts events, providing artists with a professional platform to exhibit their work, connect with new audiences and gain valuable recognition. Beyond the artists themselves, the Prize creates opportunities for community engagement, cultural participation and creative exchange, bringing together artists, audiences and visitors in a shared celebration of contemporary art. It contributes to civic pride, strengthens the cultural identity of the Eurobodalla, and supports local businesses through increased visitation and activity during the Festival.
River of Art is often described as a volunteer-run festival, but in reality it operates more like a small charitable cultural organisation. Our volunteers undertake work that would typically be carried out by paid staff across governance, fundraising, marketing, partnerships, programming and event delivery. Sponsorship support transforms that volunteer effort into meaningful cultural outcomes – enabling us to elevate the quality, reach and impact of initiatives such as the River of Art Prize. These investments create opportunities for artists, enrich cultural experiences for audiences and help ensure the arts remain an accessible and valued part of community life. We are deeply grateful to all sponsors and supporters who make this work possible, and extend our sincere thanks to our major sponsor, Batemans Bay Community Bank, for their generous support of the 2025 River of Art Prize alongside supporters Mystery Bay Cottages and Basil Sellars Exhibition Centre
2025 River of ART prize winner - Lilaea Van Der See
Lilaea van der See has been awarded the 2025 River of Art Prize for their work When Stillness Dances… Textile Installation – Botanical Printing on Silk.
Judges Cath Bowdler and Tony Oates praised the winning entry as “an outstanding piece of work, noting that it might be a surprise. Tony and I circled around this one but we were drawn back to it as a fully realised complex work, and as we looked at the detail, all the elements work together and where assembled with care. Great skill and consideration.
The artist said: I’m honoured and humbled to receive the River of Art Prize. There are so many beautiful artists here, and it means a lot to have my work recognised. My artwork is about being in harmony with the land and with each other — creating something sustainable and different.
This dress was made from a single three-metre piece of fabric with no waste. The plants spoke to the fabric and created their own magic. I’ve been doing botanical eco-printing for over a decade, often using upcycled materials. For me, the process takes a lifetime of learning, not just weeks in the studio.”
Runner Up - Felicite Briggs
Felicite Briggs for The Stolen Pomegranates. The judges described the piece as a beautiful, technically excellent life drawing, intimate but glowing with life.
HIghly commended - Richard Sealy
This year, the Highly Commended Award came down to a very close decision between three exceptional works. After careful deliberation, the judges ultimately awarded Ritchey Sealy for Containment – an animated, painterly depiction of fire trucks at work.
The judges remarked that Containment powerfully captures the quiet heroism of containment efforts, while the artist shared: “This painting is deeply personal — it reflects my experience as a division commander during the 2019–20 fires and the lasting impact of post-traumatic stress. Rather than dramatize the flames, I chose to depict a containment line — the long, exhausting work of trying to manage the fire alongside crews from across the country.”
Also in strong contention were Lawrence Rimes’ Resting Dog and Waratah Lahy’s Overgrown. The judges noted that the decision was especially challenging and chose to recognise the work of an emerging local artist with this award.
Special Mentions
peoples Choice
The 2025 Peoples Choice goes to Jane Murphys, The Lake, Oil 77 x77cm on canvas framed.
The 2025 Prize Pool
With thanks to our SPONSOR
Community Bank Batemans Bay
And our SUPPORTERS
Mystery Bay Cottages and Basil Sellars Exhibition Centre
The First Prize winner will receive $4500 in cash – PLUS
The Basil Sellars Exhibition Centre proudly offers the winning artist a supported solo exhibition at the Mechanics Institute in 2026. This offer includes 2 week venue hire (Sept 2026) plus installation time, promotion through the BAS website and social channels, access to equipment and resources at the Mechanics Institute and a $550 stipend for exhibition expenses.
The Second Prize Winner takes home $2,500 cash – PLUS
A voucher from Jaguar Stays and FoxDog Distillery
The Highly Commended Artist receives $500 cash – PLUS
A voucher from Grumpy & Sweethearts Mogo and Framing Pieces Batemans Bay
People’s Choice – A voucher from Grumpy & Sweethearts Mogo
People’s Choice – Sculpture@TheClubHouse Narooma
A voucher from Oaks Ranch and Betta Home Living Narooma
We wish to acknowledge and thank the Sponsors, Supporters and Donors for their generosity
Please support locally those who support us!
About the Judges
Cath Bowdler
Cath is an academic gallery director and artist who lives in Rosedale and has had a varied career in the arts – from arts administrator, curator and academic who has worked extensively with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and artists over the last 30 years. Cath was Director of 24HR Art (now NCCA) in Darwin, lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Director of Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and lecturer at Charles Darwin University, NT. She holds a PhD from the Australian National University in the field of Aboriginal Art and Culture
Tony Oates
Tony is Director of the Drill Hall Gallery in Canberra and has been the Curator of Exhibitions at the ANU Drill Hall Gallery since 2004. Tony was educated at the Australian National University and is a highly regarded curator and is strongly connected with the south coast region.
Finalists gallery
Finalists hung in The Mechanics Institute Moruya 26 September – 6 October 2026 River of Art Prize Exhibition.
