VAS Portrait Exhibition 2026
1 Jul 2026 – 12 Jul 2026
Saturday 11 July: VAS Portrait Painters in Action 2026 Open Day
Location: Frater, McCubbin & Hammond Galleries
This annual exhibition, featuring the $1,000 Nada Hunter Portraiture Award, celebrates portraiture in all genres. An inspiring array of talent by some of Victoria’s emerging and established artists skilfully capturing the human spirit.
On Saturday July 11, drop in between 11am and 4pm to see our free Portrait Painters in Action open day of live painting by some of the top VAS portraiture artists. This event offers visitors insight into the diverse ways artists capture their sitters, showcasing their individual styles with mediums including oil, acrylic, pastel, and watercolour. The Nada Hunter Portrait Prize for this exhibition will be presented during the Portrait Painters in Action event prior to the lunch break (approximately 12.50pm).
Image: Self Portrait in Two Mirrors, Jennifer Huang, Oil on linen
2026 VAS Nada Hunter Portrait Prize Winner:
Keming Shen VAS for Portrait of Blake
"I was determined not to be influenced by the catalogue cover but when I saw this painting, my heart jumped! The handling of the paint, the bold mark making, all building toward a compelling portrait."
Judge Jenny Croom
Second Place:
Liz Moore Golding VAS for Me at 77
"An arresting portrait with great communication. The style is vigorous and full of character, enhanced by direct gaze."
Judge Jenny Croom
Third Place:
Sarah Anthony for Flow
"A skilled and beautiful rendering of a young woman. The light and delicate touch, the cool colouring convey introspection and depth."
Judge Jenny Croom
Highly Commended:
Alex Jobbagy for Self Portrait Outside the Frame
"A refreshing take on a self portrait, incorporating styles and perspectives not normally in the same painting. A study of character?!"
Jennifer Cromarty for Woman with Silver Hair
"A quiet moment, private, rendered without fuss. Beautiful mood."
Jena Zelezny for Self Portrait
"Intense and compelling, this self-portrait shows more than just a face"
Marjan Bakhtiarikish for Traveller
"A superb rendering in charcoal, showing both spontaneous line markings, as well as delicate smudging. An excellent example."
Lisa Wang for Life Study of Jack Simpson
"An accomplished and vigorous portrait showing bold brushwork and style"
Nic Kirkman for Rest and Regroup
"A strong, individual style showing character, as well as a mood common to all."
Curator's Award:
Lisa Wang for Ember of Day
"An awesome meeting of vibrancy and light. This portrait stood out as it had impact that showed a masterful control of the delicate medium."
Curator Liz Gridley
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.