The Elaine Bermingham National Watercolour Prize in Landscape Painting

Entries for The Elaine Bermingham National Watercolour Prize in Landscape Painting are now open. This triennial art prize aims to celebrate excellence and innovation in the watercolour medium.

For the purpose of this prize, ‘landscape’ is defined as any form of land or environment. This does not exclude peopled landscape, seascape, or urbanised and rural habitat. Artworks entered do not need to be representational; innovative and abstracted explorations of watercolour are acceptable.

The non-acquisitive prize is open to all Australian artists over the age of 18 years.

Entries will be shortlisted for our finalist exhibition, which will be shown at QCAD Galleries, located within Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art and Design at Brisbane City Campus, Southbank.

Our pre-selection panel of judges hold senior positions at Queensland College of Art and Design and bring a diverse range of both creative and professional expertise to the judging process. Artist and Deputy Director (Research), Professor Julie Fragar, Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching and Senior Lecturer, Dr Laini Burton, artist and Associate Professor, Natalya Hughes.

We are pleased to announce that our principal judge for 2026 is Alison Kubler.

The overall winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize generously donated by Elaine Bermingham.

Entries close 11:59pm AEST Sunday, 8th November 2026. 

Finalist Exhibition: 10th December – 14th January 2026.

Please visit the website for further details and entry process.