THE Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery was bursting at the seams for the announcement of the winners in the 2026 Ibis Rising Art Awards.<\/p>\n
With artists and winners ranging in age from four to 80-plus years, the entries were representative of the whole Naracoorte community and friends of the gallery.<\/p>\n
There were also entries from further afield including Mount Gambier, Nhill and Robe.<\/p>\n
About 130 people packed the building for the annual event with many prize sponsors, newcomers, parents and grandparents of student entrants, as well as the long time supporters of art at Naracoorte in attendance.<\/p>\n
In a first for the Ibis Rising Awards there was an overall winner chosen with Nicole Johnston the inaugural recipient to take home the perpetual trophy of an Ibis made by Gallery exhibitors, RP Cutters of Tailem Bend.<\/p>\n
Her entry in the 3D category was a tiny Australian White Ibis which she had crafted with crochet, posed drinking out of a miniature water bowl.<\/p>\n
The judges described Nicole\u2019s entry as \u2018a tiny and exquisite piece of art highlighting the environmental plight of Ibis in urban settings.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is skilfully made and its message resonates with the viewer,\u201d the judges said.<\/p>\n
Total entry numbers were similar to previous years while the new multi-disciplinary category of Birds of Bool Lagoon drew 27 entries – these included 2D, photography, sculpture and mixed media works.<\/p>\n
Two photographers took out the winning prizes in the new category \u2013 Brenda Mahoney with a superb photo of an Australian Reed Warbler and runner up was Diana Vine with her picture of the Golden-headed Cisticola, which sold on opening night.<\/p>\n
Brenda Mahoney continued her winning night with the runner up prize in the photography section with a Superb Fairy Wren caught clasping a wasp in its beak.<\/p>\n
The category winner was Tony Lees with his work called \u2018Glitch in the Matrix\u2019.<\/p>\n
The judge said the photo showed a great use of double exposure and was a well-executed technical image.<\/p>\n
Nicole Johnston was the winner in the 3D category with her tiny sculpture entitled \u2018What\u2019s Left for Us?\u2019 and local metal craftsman Bruce Willmer was runner up with a candelabra which appears at first glance to be made of tree branches.<\/p>\n
In the 2D section gallery volunteer and former board member Anne Emerson won first prize with her collage of kangaroos searching for food in a rocky and barren landscape.<\/p>\n
Runner up was Jean Marr with a picture called \u2018Wind Flowers\u2019.<\/p>\n
Anne Emerson\u2019s picture was described by the judge as showing originality and innovation with good composition which was balanced and harmonious.<\/p>\n
Student prizes went to Darcie Beauchamp and Archer Earl in the up to Year 3 section.<\/p>\n
Year 4 student Haru Kanchara won the Year 4 to 6 category with a pendant made from acrylic, UV resin and the feathers of a dead pardalote.<\/p>\n
When collecting the feathers Haru realized that on the end of them was a small white heart shape.<\/p>\n
Lexie Jones was runner up.<\/p>\n
In the High School category Schelden Codera was the winner with an oil painting entitled \u2018The Weeping Black Swan\u2019.<\/p>\n
It captures a female swan grieving beside her empty nest.<\/p>\n
Lucindale Area School students provided a number of found metalwork entries and the runner up was \u2018Mr Peacock\u2019 produced by Archie, Lacey B and Jackson.<\/p>\n
Judges for the event were Elizabeth Newell, Gavin Blacker, Selina Smith, Livio Andreazza and Kay Hole.<\/p>\n
Naracoorte Cultural Trust, Eight at the Gate Wines, Hansen Design and Print, Mandy Curnow Coaching, Smiles All Round, Arts on Ormerod, Wild Game Wine, Craig\u2019s Bakehouse and Cafe plus several local philanthropists sponsored the 2026 competition.<\/p>\n
Board chair Julie Earl thanked everyone involved in the very successful competition and said it had taken six volunteers six hours to hang and display all the entries.<\/p>\n
She described all artists as conjurers.<\/p>\n
\u201cArtists take something ordinary \u2013 a tube of paint, a camera lens, a piece of driftwood, rusty metal, ocean litter or scraps of paper and create something new and extraordinary,\u201d Julie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat something can speak to us and change us in some way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery was bursting at the seams for the announcement of the winners in the 2026 Ibis Rising Art Awards. With artists and winners ranging in age from four to 80-plus years, the entries were representative of the whole Naracoorte community and friends of the gallery. There were also entries from further […]<\/p>\n