Basil Sellers Art Prize - National Australian Art Prize
The Basil Sellers Art Prize is a $50,000 national Australian art prize, celebrating artistic excellence in 2D works across painting, drawing and printmaking. Now in its 22nd year, this acquisitive biennial prize supports artists at all stages of their careers, with a structure grounded in care, accessibility and generosity.
Finalists announced
The finalists of the 2026 Basil Sellers Art Prize are:
- Alison Mitchell Hannaford
- Amanda Johnson
- Charlie Lind
- Chris Round
- Craig Handley
- Dagmar Cyrulla
- Daryl J Austin
- Elizabeth Kunoth Kngwarray
- Evie Adasal
- Hye In Kim
- Isabel Morales
- Janet Green
- Janet Isobel Jones
- John Rouch
- Kelly Joy
- Lisa Sewards
- Lizzie Hall
- Luke Kelly
- Luke Wagner
- Lynn Savery
- Naomi Droll
- Neil Haddon
- Nell Symonds
- Nick Offer
- Paul Angus
- Peter Tankey
- Sal Cooper
- Sara Freeman
- Seabastion Toast
- Stephen Haley
- Tony Sowersby
Congratulations to the 2026 finalists!
Importantly, we would like to acknowledge and thank artists from the Eurobodalla and across Australia for supporting the Prize. We received an impressive total of 655 submissions and are sincerely grateful to every artist who entered.
All entry fees directly support creative arts programming in the Eurobodalla Shire, with the $50,000 acquisitive major prize is generously sponsored by Basil Sellers, while the $5,000 Eurobodalla Prize and $500 People’s Choice Prize are sponsored by the Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Public programs
- Exhibition opening and winners' announcement: Friday 4 December, 5.30pm - RSVP to the opening event
- Exhibition: Saturday 5 December to Saturday 30 January 2027 - check the exhibition's open days and times
History of the Prize
The Basil Sellers Art Prize was founded in 2004 by businessman, philanthropist and art collector Mr Basil Sellers AO. Through a chance connection to Moruya, Mr Sellers developed a long and enduring partnership with Eurobodalla Shire Council, supporting the region’s artistic community in a meaningful and sustained way.
Originally offering a prize of $15,000, the acquisitive prize is now worth $50,000, generously donated by Mr Sellers.
A new category sponsored by Eurobodalla Shire Council was introduced in 2018: the Eurobodalla Award. Valued at $5,000, this award recognises an outstanding local entry, with the winning artwork acquired into Council’s permanent collection. The Eurobodalla Prize is an additional opportunity for local artists, not a separate competition. Artists eligible for the Eurobodalla Prize are also eligible for the $50,000 acquisitive Basil Sellers Art Prize.
In 2019 the Prize celebrated its new permanent home at the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre (affectionately known as the Bas), the region’s first professional purpose-built exhibition space, also made possible by a generous donation from Mr Sellers.
In 2024 Mr Sellers announced that the major acquisitive award would be doubled to $50,000, significantly strengthening the Prize’s impact and providing an extraordinary opportunity for artists working in 2D traditional media.
The Basil Sellers Art Prize is a beloved part of Eurobodalla's cultural calendar that has not only been a source of support to regional artists, allowing them to pursue and develop their creative practice, but has been a significant contributor to the creative industries in the region as well as cultural tourism.
Past winners, virtual exhibitions and exhibition catalogues
More information
Contact Council's creative arts team: