Canning Art Awards 2026

The City of Canning's Art Awards is an annual event on the City's calendar and provides upcoming and professional artists with the opportunity to exhibit their work in the wider community, with the potential to win a cash prize.

This free entry eight-day exhibition at the Riverton Library, showcases some of Western Australia’s best artists, several of which are local to Canning. Professionally curated and judged, the exhibition provides visitors with a diverse display of high calibre artworks across a range of categories. The 2026 Art Awards accepts the first 250 entries that meet the Entry Terms and Conditions.

Categories and Prizes

Entrants may submit one entry only in the following categories: 

• 🎨 Painting on Canvas 
• 🎨 Painting on Paper 
• ✏ Drawing
• 🎠 3D Sculpture/Textile
• 🖼 Mixed Media
• 📸 Photography
• 💻 Digital Art

There will be one prize awarded for each of the categories above for both Adults and Young Artists (12-17 years).

Adult award winners will take home a $1000 cash prize.

Young Artist (aged 12-17 years) award winners will take home a $500 cash prize.

• ✔️ Canning Resident Award
• ✔️ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award
• ✔️ People's Choice Award
• ✔️ Canning Arts Group - 2D Award (Adult entries only) NEW
• ✔️ Canning Arts Group - 3D Award (Adult entries only) NEW

Overall award winners for the Canning Resident Award, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and People’s Choice will take home a $1000 cash prize. Each overall award winners for the Canning Arts Group will take home a $500 cash prize.

For Further Information

Please contact the City Major Events Team on 1300 422 664 or events@canning.wa.gov.au.

About our Curator

Ron Nyisztor

Ron Nyisztor is a mid-career Western Australian artist who has been exhibiting regularly since 1989.

His practice has involved the use of a wide range of materials, subject matter, and themes.

Ron also directs NS Nyisztor Studio an Artist Run Initiative located in Fremantle WA.

Judges

Alex Cearns

Alex Cearns OAM is an award-winning Australian animal photographer, Creative Director of Perth-based Houndstooth Studio, and one of the world’s leading dog and animal photographers, described by Dogs Today Magazine UK as “one of our greatest dog photographers in the world.” She has photographed more than 15,000 pets for devoted animal lovers, leading global brands, and animal charities and conservation organisations, with her work published internationally across media, books, magazines, and advertising campaigns. The recipient of more than 350 awards for her photography, business and philanthropy, Alex is an Ambassador for leading photography and creative brands including Tamron, Profoto, BenQ, Studio Ninja, SanDisk, Ilford Imaging Australia, Wrapz and Spider Camera Holster. A passionate advocate for animal rescue and wildlife conservation, Alex was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to charitable organisations through photography. She is the published author of eight books, including five with HarperCollins Australia, and has built a global social media following of more than 170,000 people. An accomplished speaker, mentor, photography judge and educator, Alex has presented internationally on photography, business and animal advocacy, and is the founder of The Pet Photography Coach and its highly sought-after Business Acceleration Program for pet photographers.

Ross Potter

Ross Potter is a Kamilaroi man and professional artist living in Walyalup / Fremantle.

He works with pencil and paper to produce highly detailed, often large-scale representations of his subjects.

One of his most well-known works is a life-sized drawing of Perth Zoo’s beloved elephant Tricia, which he created in the gallery during Fremantle Arts Centre’s hugely popular kids’ exhibition Animaze: Amazing Animals for Kids in 2018

Ross has works in numerous collections, and has undertaken multiple artist residencies including at Cossack, Margaret River and Herhùsid in Iceland.

Wade Taylor

Wade Taylor is an artist from Perth and a sessional lecturer at Curtin University under the fine arts painting program. Exhibiting since 2014 Wade has had numerous solo exhibitions and participated in exhibitions and festivals both locally and interstate. Wade has been the overall winner of prizes such as Melville art award, Minnawarra art award and the City of Rockingham art prize. Represented by Stala Contemporary Wade’s work is held in many private and public collections such as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Cities of Perth, Melville, Armadale, Joondalup, Stirling and the universities of Western Australia and Edith Cowen.

Thanks to Canning Arts Group

The Canning Art Awards is supported each year by our friends of the Canning Arts Group. The City of Canning greatly appreciates their help with and dedication to this art event.

Canning Arts Group is a not-for-profit self-funded community-based organisation that has been serving the community in the arts area for more than 50 years. Canning Arts Group offers Art Classes and Workshops to its members and the public including adults, children and people with disabilities and special needs.

Presentation of Awards and Official Opening Night

Join us at Riverton Library for the Opening Awards Night, where we will launch the 2026 Exhibition and present the awards, on Thursday 24 September.

Please note that this is a ticketed event and tickets are now open.

Tickets

• Artists who have submitted artwork are free of charge and guests/the public are chargeable at $27.50 per person.
• Tickets must be booked for ALL attendees (free and chargeable) for catering purposes.
• Tickets are limited to 3 per person maximum.

Artist Schedule

Delivery of Artwork

• Saturday 19 September | 12pm – 4pm only*
• Riverton Library, 67 Riley Road, Riverton

Presentation of Awards and Official Opening Night

• Thursday 24 September | 6pm – 9pm*
• Riverton Library, 67 Riley Road, Riverton
• Stay tuned for further details.

Exhibition Opening Times

• Friday 25 September – Saturday 3 October
• Sales desk is open 10am – 3pm daily except for Sundays (Eftpos only – no cash) *
• Riverton Library is open Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 5pm*
• Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am – 7pm | Sunday 2pm – 5pm*

Unsold Artwork Collection

• Sunday 4 October | 2pm – 5pm only*
• You will be advised prior if your artwork sold during the exhibition.

*Times may be subject to minor revision. All applicants will be notified of these revisions via the email address supplied on the entry form.

Exhibition Sales Desk

Most artworks on display (except for some Young Artist pieces) are available to purchase. Members of the Canning Arts Group will operate the sales desk between 10am - 3pm each day, except for on Sunday. The exhibition will also give attendees a chance to vote for the People's Choice Award via the QR codes displayed throughout the Exhibition.

Entries

The Online Entry Registration is now CLOSED!

Read through Terms and conditions for further details.

Now that entries have closed, the Events Team will be in touch regarding the next steps following entries closed so keep an eye on your inbox.

Important Entry Information

• Entry cost for Adults 18+ is $37.00
• Entry is free for Young Artists (aged 12-17 years)
• A maximum of 250 entries will be displayed in the Art Awards this year. The first 250 entries that meet the Terms and Conditions of Entry will be accepted.
• Entries may close once the 250 entries are received.
• Artists are required to send a photo of their work to events@canning.wa.gov.au within seven days of registering their entry.