VAS Edward Heffernan Drawing Exhibition 2026
19 Aug 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
Opening Event 6.30pm Thursday 20 August
Location: Cato Gallery & Mackley Members' Room
The 'Edward Heffernan Memorial Drawing Prizes' are awarded in honour of Edward Heffernan, past president of VAS from 1977 to 1980. He served on the VAS Council for 12 years and was also awarded the Distinguished VAS Service Award, Honorary life Membership, VAS Fellowship and the Order of Australia Medal for his services to Arts.
This exhibition is made possible through a bequest from the estate of his wife Maree Elizabeth Heffernan, who was the proprietor of the Gordon Edgerton Gallery and assisted Edward with editing the Victorian Artists Society’s Journal.
The Edward Heffernan Memorial Drawing Exhibition features Prizes for:
- 1st prize, $900
- 2nd prize, $400
- 3rd prize $200
Image: Self Portrait at 24, Jennifer Huang
2026 Award Recipients
Judged by Isabelle Chouinard
Winner
Jennifer Huang for Portrait of Ravenna
"Well composed. Exquisite craftsmanship. A strong sense of presence. Feels real while it still feels like a drawing."
Second
Jessica Chung for Portrait of Jerry
"Beautiful atmosphere and feeling of light. Beautifully crafted. A lovely sense of space with the background."
Third
Yaxuan Yu for Winnie
"Great expression and likeness. A well-made portrait."
Highly Commended
Helen R Carter for The Young Man
"Great composition, well-constructed."
Browse Artworks
Acknowledgment of traditional owners.
We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our building stands, their leaders, past, present and emerging.