The Lester Prize

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The Lester Prize

The Lester Inc is a not-for-profit organisation. We are the creator of The Lester Prize, one of Australia's most prestigious portraiture fine art prizes.

The Lester Prize provides the opportunity to engage with the best of the artform each year in a format that puts the artists and community front-and-centre.

10/06/2026

We are thrilled to introduce Alan R. Dodge AM, John McDonald and Bryony Nainby; 2026’s Judging Panellists! 🤩

Alan R. Dodge AM has worked in the museum sector for over 45 years, including 21 years at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra and as Director of the The Art Gallery of Western Australia - AGWA (1996–2007). He has served on numerous arts and cultural boards and received major honours, including membership of the Order of Australia and France’s Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

John McDonald is an Australian art critic, curator and author. A longtime columnist for the The Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Financial Review, he now publishes independently through his Substack, Everything the Artworld Doesn’t Want You to Know. He was Head of Australian Art at the National Gallery of Australia (1999–2001), has curated numerous exhibitions, lectured widely, and authored The Art of Australia.

Bryony Nainby is Curator of the University of Western Australia Art Collection at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, where she leads exhibitions, research and collection development. She has held senior curatorial roles at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Craft Victoria, Benalla Art Gallery and Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Her practice focuses on contemporary Australian art, craft and material culture, exploring connections between people, place and culture.

Find out more about the Judging Panellists here https://www.lesterprize.com/artists/main-awards-2026-judging-panellists/

09/06/2026

LESTER YOUTH AWARDS SPOTLIGHT // JOLIE REUTENS

Jolie Reutens from Shenton College who created her self-portrait ‘Me myself and I’ while in Year 11, is among the 30 Finalists in this year's Youth Awards.

“I have painted a self-portrait across two canvases. The large canvas features a version of myself holding another version of me from behind, my limbs stretched out as if trying to take control of my other self – like a puppet. This symbolizes the intense pressure I place on myself due to holding myself to unrealistic standards and the need to prove to my parents that I'm enough, even though they don’t pressure me. I want them to see that their sacrifices are reflected in how hard I try. The person behind represents the part of me that constantly tries to criticize or fix who I am. The disorientation of my body in the smaller portrait symbolises how detached I often feel caught in a cycle of comparison and judgement.”

You can view this year’s Winners and Finalists in full here https://www.lesterprize.com/gallery-the-lester-prize-for-portraiture/youth-prize/

The Lester Prize for Portraiture's Youth Awards exhibition runs from Friday 24 April to Sunday 19 July in the Old Gaol building at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in the City of Perth.

Image credit: Jolie Reutens, Me myself and I, acrylic on canvas, 165 x 110 cm. Year 11, Shenton College, WA.

08/06/2026

The Lester Prize continues to grow its impact across Australia through artists, audiences, and communities. 🌱

In 2025, more than 40,000 people visited The Lester Prize exhibition at WA Museum Boola Bardip, engaging with contemporary portraiture that reflects the stories of our time.

Over 300 schools have entered in the Youth Awards nationwide, providing young artists with opportunities to share their work and be recognised early in their creative journey.

Over 550 artists have become finalists including Melissa Clements, Elle Campbell , Ben Howe, Jessica Logan , Jenna Pickering, Jenny Rodgerson, Ross Potter , Gene Hart-Smith, Sid Pattni, Sue Eva and many more who have progressed through The Lester Prize platform, contributing to a growing community of professional Australian artists.

Behind these numbers are artists building careers and young creatives being given their first opportunity to be seen and supported, this impact is only possible with community support.

This EOFY, your support helps ensure these opportunities continue. https://www.lesterprize.com/supporters-partners/become-a-supporter/

06/06/2026

LESTER YOUTH AWARDS SPOTLIGHT // SANUTHI RATHNAYAKE

Sanuthi Rathnayake from Willetton Senior High School who created her self-portrait ‘A glimpse of culture’ while in Year 8, is among the 30 Finalists in this year's Youth Awards.

“It represents my origins and my connection to Sri Lanka. I show this through the lotus flowers surrounding my portrait. Lotus flowers are an important symbol in my culture and religion, and they have been carved into temple stone for hundreds of years. Including them in my artwork highlights this tradition and shows pride in my heritage. Creating this piece expresses not only how I look, but also where I come from, making the artwork meaningful and unique.”

You can view this year’s Winners and Finalists in full here https://www.lesterprize.com/gallery-the-lester-prize-for-portraiture/youth-prize/

The Lester Prize for Portraiture's Youth Awards exhibition runs from Friday 24 April to Sunday 19 July in the Old Gaol building at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in the City of Perth.

Image credit: Sanuthi Rathnayake, A glimpse of culture, lino print on paper, 42 x 42 cm. Year 8, Willetton Senior High School, WA.

05/06/2026

To celebrate 10 years of generous support from The Tony Fini Foundation this year’s Artist Selected Prize will increase to $25,000 for this year only.

The Tony Fini Foundation’s unwavering support of The Lester Prize over the past ten years has been an integral the growth of our prize and interest from Australian artists. The Lester Prize is the only national art prize with an artist selected prize category, voted by its finalists, a highly sought after prize amongst peers each year.

Prizes such as ours would not exist without strong philanthropic support from families such as the Fini Family.

04/06/2026

The Lester Prize needs you! ❤️

We’re looking for enthusiastic Volunteer Tour Guides and Exhibition Support Staff to join our amazing team for the 2026 Lester Prize Exhibition at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in the City of Perth.

This is a fantastic opportunity to:
✅ Get involved in one of Australia’s most prestigious portraiture prizes
✅ Meet new people and be part of a passionate arts community
✅ Gain valuable experience (training and support provided!)
✅ Have a whole lot of fun – and yes, there’s a celebration party at the end! 🎉

Whether you're an art lover, a people person, or simply curious to try something new - we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more and register your interest here https://fs22.formsite.com/bspp/pdki2h5j8a/index

03/06/2026

Two weeks left to enter The Lester Prize 2026!

There's only 14 days to go and when entries close, that's it! Don't miss out on the opportunity to stand among Australia’s most celebrated portrait artists and win a share of the $140,000 pool.

If you're selected as one of our finalists, your artwork will be exhibited at the Museum Boola Bardip in the City of Perth and be invited to take part in opportunities to join artist talks, workshops, online features, and community events.

Whether you’re emerging or established, this is your chance to share your story, your subject, and your creative voice on a national stage.

Entries close on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. https://www.lesterprize.com/artists/submit-entry-2/

01/06/2026

When Anaia Kakulas won The Lester Prize Youth Award, it changed her life. The recognition gave her confidence, visibility, and encouragement at a pivotal moment showing her that her creative voice mattered. 📣

Today, Anaia continues to make an impact through leadership, community work, and her studies in medicine, but she still credits The Lester Prize as an important turning point in her journey.

This EOFY, please support The Lester Prize in helping create life-changing opportunities for young Australian artists. https://www.lesterprize.com/supporters-partners/become-a-supporter/

Let’s give emerging creatives the chance to be seen, supported, and celebrated.

31/05/2026

LESTER YOUTH AWARDS SPOTLIGHT // BELLA MIHYO

Bella Mihyo from Mother Teresa Catholic College who created her portrait ‘Eudaimonia’ while in Year 9, is among the 30 Finalists in this year's Youth Awards.

“This mixed media artwork portrays my Grandad, an airforce veteran, proudly wearing his medals. Using coloured prismacolor pencils, posca pens and paint, I aimed to capture his identity and express gratitude and emotional connection.”

You can view this year’s Winners and Finalists in full here https://www.lesterprize.com/gallery-the-lester-prize-for-portraiture/youth-prize/

The Lester Prize for Portraiture's Youth Awards exhibition runs from Friday 24 April to Sunday 19 July in the Old Gaol building at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in the City of Perth.

Image credit: Bella Mihyo, Eudaimonia, Prisma colour pencil and acrylic paint on card, 100 x 70 cm. Year 9, Mother Theresa Catholic College, WA.

30/05/2026

We’re so proud to see the incredible talent of the Lester Prize Youth Award finalists lighting up the Yagan Square Digital Tower! 🎨✨

If you’re in the City of Perth and spot their work, make sure to snap a photo and share the moment with us!

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Nedlands, WA

Telephone

+61894235116

Website

http://www.lesterprize.com/

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