Entries are now open for the John Leslie Art Prize 2026, one of Australia’s most established landscape painting awards.
First presented in 2000 and named after John Leslie OBE, the prize celebrates excellence in contemporary landscape painting by artists living and working in Australia. The 2026 edition marks the 14th iteration of the award, continuing its legacy of recognising diverse interpretations of the Australian landscape.
Open to works completed since 1 March 2024, the prize invites artists to explore landscape through personal, conceptual, and observational approaches.
Finalists will be exhibited at Gippsland Art Gallery from 5 September – 22 November 2026, with winners announced at the official exhibition launch.
Prizes:
John Leslie Acquisitive Prize: $30,000
Best Gippsland Work: $1,000
The judging panel for 2026 includes Louisa Waters (Gippsland Art Gallery), Louise Tegart (Art Gallery of Ballarat), and Simon Gregg (Gippsland Art Gallery).
Image: 2024 Winner: Peter GARDINER, Elephant
