Feature Artist
Portland Art Prize & Simply Drawing Prize
Portland Art Prize
First Prize $650 | Second Prize $350
This year artists entering the theme section are invited to interpret
ISOLATION
2020 has been a year that has presented many challenges, but none more than the isolation that the entire world has had to endure.
The theme for 2021 invites artists to interpret this feeling of isolation they have experienced, in any medium permissible under the entry guidelines.
Artists are also asked to submit a 50 word summary of how their work interprets the theme for the judges consideration.
The Ron Bidwell Award – First Prize $650
The Mary Hampton Award – Second Prize $350
Entries Close 12 February 2021
- Artists are permitted one entry only in this section. Artists are permitted three entries in total.
- The prizes will be awarded after independent judging.
- The Judges will be announced prior to the Art Exhibition.
- The judges’ decision will be final.
Sponsored by
Simply Drawing Prize
Prize $300
Artwork must be a drawing and can be done using
Pencil, Charcoal or Pen. Black & White only, back to basics
Entries Close 12 February 2021
- Artists are permitted one entry only in this section. Artists are permitted three entries in total.
- The prizes will be awarded after judging takes place by Joe Penn & Lesley O’Shea.
- The judges’ decision will be final.
Sponsored by Joe Penn & Lesley O’Shea
Event Details
The event will once again be held in Portland’s beautiful Crystal Theatre. The building ensures a wonderful atmosphere for you to enjoy the art show.
Please note: COVID requirements may change the below details closer to the event.
Changed Exhibition times
With the social distancing requirements and restrictions on serving food and beverages we unfortunately will not be able to hold the traditional Opening Night Friday 5th March.
In lieu of the opening night, we are delighted to offer the opportunity for a special ‘preview’ night at a reduced charge of $5 on Thursday evening 4th March between 6.00pm and 8.00pm.
Reservations are essential and can be made online via TicketBooth https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/portlandartshow-sponsors
Our exhibition will be open during the weekend as in past years, 9:30am – 5pm (4pm Sun) with appropriate COVID procedures. Wearing a mask is encouraged.
OPENING NIGHT – Cancelled
Friday 5th March
6:30pm – 10:00pm
Official Opening – 7:30pm
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Saturday 6th March
9:30am – 5:00pm
Sunday 7th March
9:30am – 4:00pm
Admission
$5 adults
$3 conc. & children
CWA Cafe Open
Contact Us
Chairperson: Sue Banning
Vice Chairperson: Elizabeth Irvine
Treasurer: Brian Cassell
Entry Co-ordinators: Bruce & Elizabeth Irvine
Secretary: Jodie Mason
Publicity Officer: Rich Evans
Mailing address
PO Box 43
Portland NSW 2847
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Previous Featured Artists
We have had the pleasure of exhibiting some amazing artists over the years, please find details below.

Guenter Barth was born in East Germany and started painting at the age of 16. In 1957, with his new wife, Edel and his paints, he fled from communist Germany into Berlin. They migrated to Australia in 1960, but it wasn’t until 1994 when he retired that he could follow his dream of devoting his time to painting. He has travelled extensively throughout Australia and has been inspired by the contrast and beauty of Australian
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ANNIE JOSEPH is a long time supporter of the Portland Art Exhibition. She loves painting and drawing the landscape. “There is never any shortage of subjects, and am lucky to be able to work in my wondrous studio surrounded by beautiful hills and valleys of Old Bowenfels at Lithgow.” Her heartland is further west though, out in the central west where “the sky comes down to your boots!” Annie mostly works in charcoal, pen and
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Nicole Foxall is a colour junkie who loves injecting hefty doses of pigment and vibrancy into her paintings. Her mission is to express and create from the world around her and bring colour and happiness to people's walls. Nicole's painting process is loose and spontaneous with each piece a unique translation of the subject. Nicole works out of a backyard studio which she shares with her husband who is also a painter and creator. She
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To celebrate the 40th Anniversary, the society has chosen to choose four feature artists. JOE PENN For over 30 years he has been painting full time, working in a variety of mediums. He is well known for his Impressionistic oils of landscapes, portraits and figures, he is currently Vice President of The Royal Art Society. LESLEY O'SHEA I am fascinated by faces. The challenge to portray an individual’s personality and likeness in paint is the passion that
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Dennis Claydon – A Storyteller in pastels Dennis moved from Albury about 2 years ago and he and his wife Gae have now made their home in Orange. Dennis is a horticulturist by trade (in charge of Randwick Racecourse, Sydney Showground, Dreamworld and many others) and he commenced painting in 1993. The rest they say is history – as he had been winning major awards ever since. Some of Dennis’s achievements are: • Best Painting
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We had a great time meeting our Feature Artist Wanda Driscoll the other day, a range of her wonderful paintings will be exhibited at the Portland Art Purchase Society's exhibition. A short video from the meeting can be viewed below. // Post by Portland Art
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The focus of his paintings is often around the fringe dwellers of outback society and their eccentricities. His endeavour is to catch the spirit of these people and their landscape with all its idiosyncrasies. A strong undercurrent of dry humour finds its way into many of his works. Eris has a great interest in the history of the outback and the history of art itself. He reads extensively, especially biographies of the past greats, whether
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Garry has been entering the Portland art Show since 1989...having missed only a few. "Govetts Leap vista" won Presidents Award for best Landscape in Traditional Style in 2011 Sydney Royal Easter Show "A life on the land" (which is a portrait of local identity Chris Bird) won First Prize in Figurative; Best Exhibit across sections 1-22; and An Award of Excellence at 2011 Sydney Royal Easter Show Garry was born in Lithgow, NSW, Australia in
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Greg Jarmaine is a prize winning traditional artist, who works in both oil and water colour. He has lived most of his life on the eastern seaboard of NSW, and much of his works reflects his affinity with the water. He has been painting professionally for over 30 years, and has been involved in numerous exhibitions. To date he has held 18 one man shows. His paintings have been acquired for municipal and corporate collections
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Greg lives and works near Bathurst NSW Australia. His works are represented in collections throughout Australia, America, Greece and England. Greg's work, consisting of paintings in mixed media and hand coloured limited edition etchings, appeals to a wide range of collectors and those people who enjoy Greg's unique
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