50th Annual Portland Art Exhibition

6th to 8th March 2026

The leading regional art show in NSW

For almost five decades, the Portland Art Purchase Society has been running the annual Portland Art Exhibition on the first weekend in March in the historic Crystal Theatre in Portland NSW

Exhibition Details

Members of the public are invited to view the exhibition and purchase any of the displayed works.

This year the exhibition will be open to the public on the following days:

Opening Night

Friday 6 March, 2026
6:30pm to 9:30pm

Entry fee: $20 per person

Concession: $15 per person

Includes canapés and drinks

General Exhibition

Saturday 7 March, 2026
10am to 5pm

Sunday 8 March 2026
10am to 4pm

Entry fee: $10 per person each day

Location

Crystal Theatre

Wolgan Street, Portland

Parking available on street and in adjacent parking areas.

[2026 ENTRY FORM WILL OPEN 1st DECEMBER 2025 ]

[2026 ENTRY FORM WILL OPEN 1st DECEMBER 2025 ]

ARTIST ENTRIES

Artists are invited to submit entries for the 2026 Portland Art Exhibition.

The art exhibition is for any works that can be hung and all works must be for sale. Conditions of entry, specification of works etc are set out on the entry form. Up to four entries may be submitted which could include an entry in the Portland Art Prize section and an entry in the Simply Drawing Prize section (see further below).

Online entries open 1st December 2025 and close at 5pm Friday 6th February 2026.

Please call our Artist Liaison Officer, Cathy, if you have any enquiries - 0429 156 378 between 1:00 - 5:00pm. 

Portland Art Prize Section

Sponsored by

Portland Art Prize

First Prize $650 | Second Prize $350                

Sponsored by The Foundations 

This year, artists entering the theme section are invited to use their imagination and creativity to design an artwork depicting what 'REFLECTIONS of PORTLAND' means to them. Some thoughts may be childhood memories, days gone by, the town that was… or actual reflections of our fabulous town.

Artists are permitted one entry only in this section. This entry forms one of the maximum of four entries permitted. If you are entering either prize section, make these your first and second entries on the entry form.

The prizes will be awarded after independent judging. The judge will be announced prior to the art exhibition. The judge’s decision will be final.


Simply Drawing Prize Section

Simply Drawing Prize

Prize $300

Sponsored by Joe Penn & Lesley O’Shea

Artwork must be a drawing using pencil, charcoal or pen. Black & white only, back to basics.

Artists are permitted one entry only in this section. This entry forms one of the maximum of four entries permitted. If you are entering either prize section, make these your first and second entries on the entry form.

The prize will be awarded after judging takes place by Joe Penn & Lesley O’Shea. The judges’ decision will be final.


Exhibition Only Prize Section

Sue Banning Packers Prize

Prize $250

Sponsored by Portland Art Purchase Society Inc

For one chosen artwork entered in the exhibition only category.

Sue was a valued member of the Portland Art Purchase Society for over 13 years, leading the Committee from 2014 - 2022. During this time the Exhibition’s success. Committee members regarded Sue not just as a valued, generous and respected colleague but as a loyal friend and a woman of style who delighted in showcasing the talents of the many artists of all ages and backgrounds who contribute to the Art Exhibition’s success. continued to grow despite years of drought, fires, floods and times of challenge for people in the district.

Emerging Artist 2025 - 2026