Official Opening & Awards Presentation

Viewing until Sunday 19 October 2025

Frater & McCubbin Galleries

On Saturday the Judge Sarah Anthony officially opened the 2025 VAS Maritime Exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society, and presented awards to the winning artists. The VAS Maritime Exhibition Awards included First, Second and Third Prizes. Three Highly Commended Awards and the Curator's Award were also announced during the opening ceremony. The Thomas Somerscales Trophy was presented to the winner, Chris White.

From left: Lucy Maddox, VAS President; Nancye Davison; Judge Sarah Anthony; Karen Hopkins; Chris White; Marketa Kemp; Julian Bruere VAS FVAS FASMA

VAS Maritime Exhibition Awards

First Prize Winner

Chris White for Summer Seas, Pt. Addis

Judge Sarah Anthony: "A technically excellent, highly accomplished work that beautifully communicates the effect of sun on water. There is a lovely sense of transient light and distance. It is a restful painting that really communicates the timelessness of the scene, and how it feels to be beside the sea."

Second Prize Winner

Julian Bruere VAS FVAS FASMA for Trafalgar - 1805

Judge Sarah Anthony: “A work of great skill by an artist who has really mastered the medium of watercolour. The fine detail and drama is breathtaking, as is the way the artist has expressed action in the background with great subtlety.”

Third Prize Winner

Marketa Kemp for Beyond The Needles

Judge Sarah Anthony: “A moody and atmospheric work that conveys a sense of quietude and timelessness. The lightness of the background gives a sense of distance and sea spray haze. The dark tones in the foreground water remind me of the treacherousness of the sea.”

Highly Commended Award

Samantha C for Rainy Day in St Kilda

Judge Sarah Anthony: "A delightful small painting that is loose and expressive, perfectly communicating the effect of rain over the ocean. I loved the muted palette and energy that said everything it needed to say.”

Highly Commended Award

Karen Hopkins for Don’t Worry, There Are Lots of Fish in the Sea

Judge Sarah Anthony: “A whimsical sculpture that to me conveyed an environmental message. The little soy sauce fish tied with fishing line speaks of the pollution of our seas with single use plastics and fishing detritus, and the ongoing problem of overfishing.”

Highly Commended Award

Graeme Gordes for Cockatoo Island

Judge Sarah Anthony: “A strong and dynamic composition which shows a working area of Sydney Harbour with the tourist areas in the background. It has a dark grittiness which ably communicates the industrial side of the harbour. The still water with pink reflection makes for an interesting contrast to the dark and linear machinery.”

Curator's Award

Nancye Davison The Arrival

"Delicate and charming. The sense of stillness and quiet mystery leaves space for the imagination to wander."

The Thomas Somerscales Trophy