The Waverley Art Prize celebrates excellence across the local arts community and greater Australian contemporary Visual Arts sector. Commencing in 1986, the Waverley Art Prize has a long history as a dedicated painting and drawing prize, cultivating and supporting local artists. Waverley Art Prize is presented in partnership with Waverley Woollahra Art School, the longest running artist-run initiative in Waverley.

This year’s judges were Anne Ryan (Curator of Australian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales) and Jasper Knight (Artist). Prizes were presented by Mayor Will Nemesh at the Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery, on the opening night of Bondi Festival.

Please join us for the Closing Drinks and People's Choice Prize announcement on Sunday 17th August 3-5pm. Find out more and RSVP here.

The winner of the 39th annual Waverley Art Prize is Rosemary Lee who was awarded the $15,000 Open Prize for her drawing '25-2'.

Special mentions were also awarded to:

Michelle Hanlin – Pareidolia (Open Prize Highly Commended)
Rose Wilfred – Ngilpitji, Our Land (Open Prize Highly Commended)
Peter Berner – Sparse (Mayor’s Prize)
Kaz Muramatsu – Golden Arowana (Mayor’s Prize Highly Commended)
Eleanor Purseglove – Neptune Pool (Mayor’s Prize Highly Commended)
Catherine Tate – Bondi’s Hot Summer Nights (Local Prize)
Peter Berner – Sparse (Local Prize Highly Commended)

Finalists for 2025 are:

Emma Anna, Peter Berner, Gina Bruce, Leah Bullen, Mark Maurangi Carrol, Armando Chant, Andrew Clarke, Nancy Constandelia, Danica Firulovic, Steve Gorman, Mark Gowing, Jody Graham, Michelle Hanlin, Amber Hearn, HEGO, Anton James, Philjames, Alun Rhys Jones, Kozy K, Matthew Kentmann, Rosemary Lee, Belem Lett, Cate Maddy, Daniel McAuley, Julian Meagher, Bette Mifsud, Tony Mighell, Kaz Muramatsu, Eleanor Purselove, Matthew Ricci, Nick Santoro, Mook Simpson, Renay Smith, Sally Stokes, Lilli Stromland, Catherine Tate, Kate Vassallo, Mirra Whale, Rose Wilfred, Joseph Williams Jungarayi.

You can see the winning works in the finalist exhibition, which is showing at Bondi Pavilion Art Gallery until 17 August. You can also vote for your favourite artwork to win this year's People's Choice Prize until 2pm on 17th August, followed the Closing Drinks and People's Choice announcement in the Art Gallery from 3-5pm