Penrith Youth Art Prize 2026

The Penrith Youth Art Prize is an annual exhibition that recognises, encourages and celebrates the creative talent of young artists in our local community. Open to artists aged five to eighteen who have a connection to Penrith and its surrounds, the prize is an opportunity for young artists to showcase their work in a gallery setting.

This year’s theme, Transformation, invites young artists to explore change — how things shift, grow, and evolve over time — and is inspired by the history of the site of Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery, which tells a story of change from the home of artists Margo and Gerald Lewers to its current role as a regional Gallery. Exhibiting artists have reflected on transformation in their own worlds, creating works that respond to changes in their local environment, shifts in identity, a metamorphosis of materials, and experiences of growing up.

The Gallery received over one hundred entries for this year’s prize and thirty finalists were selected for exhibition. Artists are showcased across two judged categories: Primary (5–12 years) and Secondary (12–18 years), with one winner and two highly commended artists awarded per category. Additional works are featured in a digital slideshow.