The Gallery two major exhibition spaces - Banana Shed and Carriage Room - change every month.
​The Signal Room houses our Members exhibition and the 3D Artist of the month. 

ARTIST PRIZE APPLICATION FORM

SCROLL DOWN TO READ MORE ABOUT THE EMERGING ARTIST PRIZE AND ELIGIBILITY.

Exhibitions

BANANA SHED

Ocean to the Bush

TRISH SHEPPARD | 22 May – 18 June

Trish is an award-winning artist whose paintings express her passion for the Australian outback landscape as well as the sea and rain forest.  

She works in vibrant colours, with acrylics, watercolour, oils and charcoal. 

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CARRIAGE ROOM

Faces, Spirits and Stories

BARBARA MILLS | 29 May – 25 June

Barbara’s exhibition title reflects her fascination with people, and the emotions, character and life experiences they carry.  

​Many of her paintings focus on expressive faces, where the eyes and expression reveal something deeper about the hum spirit.  

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THE SIGNAL ROOM

3D Artist of the Month

ALICIA MURPHY | June

Alicia Murphy's new works, explore themes of 'Empty Nest Syndrome'. 
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This series of works captures the artist's personal odyssey through the challenges of motherhood's twilight. As many mothers confront the emptiness of a departed child, Alicia experienced intense emotional distress, marked by profound grief and desolation. 

Emerging Artist Prize

ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN

The Emerging Artist Prize as the cornerstone event of our 25th Anniversary Celebrations. As a key purpose of the Pomona Gallery is to foster local, early and emerging artists through its membership and exhibition spaces, this art prize will continue to support the local art community.

We're fortunate that Michael Brennan, Noosa Regional Art Gallery Director, and Pam Miller, Local artist and educator, have agreed to judge the entries. 

Click the button to fill out your application. ​Entries Close 27 June.​

ARTIST PRIZE APPLICATION FORM

Eligibility

• Artists must reside within a 50km radius of Pomona, Queensland. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists are strongly encouraged to apply. Kabi Kabi people who reside outside a 50km radius will also be eligible. 
• If you are under 18 years old, please obtain permission from your parents/guardians.​
• Artists are not required to be current Gallery members to enter this prize, although it is appreciated.
• You are not a current serving Pomona Gallery Committee member.
• Emerging artists are those not represented by a major commercial gallery. Artists who have exhibited casually with smaller commercial galleries may still be eligible. If you have exhibited regularly with commercial galleries, please list them in your application.
• Final eligibility as an emerging artist is at the discretion of the selection panel.
• Entries are limited to 2-dimensional works only, with a maximum length of 80cm in any direction (maximum of 2 pieces can be submitted).
• Artwork must have been created in the last 2 years.
• Entries are limited to 2, and each must be accompanied by high-quality photographs.
• All pieces must be available for sale (a Gallery Commission of 30% applies)
• Finalists will be selected for the prize exhibition, and the selection panel will choose the prize winners from the finalists.
• The finalists and prize winners will be notified by email.
• The entry fee is $25 per entry.​​

​Key Dates

• Entries open: 2 May 2026
• Entries close: 27 June 2026
• Finalists Exhibition opens: 29 August 2026
• Official opening and prizes announced: 5 September 2026

Prize Details

​Overall Winner

• Hinterland Noosa Real Estate cash prize - $2000
• CreateArt voucher to the value of $250
• My photomotion _ Christine Hall professional photography to the value of $95
• One Mentoring session with Amber Creswell Bell

Encouragement Award

• Eumundi Rotary Initiative t/a Eumuni Voice cash of $1000
• My photomotion _ Christine Hall professional photography to the value of $95
• One Studio Visit with Michael Brennan (Noosa Regional Gallery Director)

People's Choice Award

• Bendigo Bank - Cooroy cash prize of $500 
• Tewantin Newsagency voucher to the value of $300 

ARTIST PRIZE APPLICATION FORM

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an “emerging” artist?

• Emerging artists can be of any age from 18-80+. 
• The term emerging indicates that the artist is not yet formally represented by a major commercial or agent.  Artists may have exhibited their paintings casually with smaller commercial galleries.
• If you work with a gallery on a regular basis but do not have a formal agreement and are not precluded from working with other galleries you are still eligible to apply. 
• Exhibiting in community galleries or Noosa Open Studios does not exclude you.  However, you must list these galleries in your application.

Who can apply?
Entrants must be local, i.e. reside within a 50km radius of Pomona.
Young People and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are particularly encouraged to apply. Kabi Kabi people, the traditional owners of this area who reside outside the 50km radius will also be eligible. 

What is the cost?
A non-refundable fee of $25 for each painting  is payable. As the fee is non-refundable, please check your entry carefully.

Will 3D Artwork be accepted?
As this year is the first year (we hope to make it an annual or biennial event) we are focusing on 2D work only.  

What date and time do entries close?
5pm on Saturday June 27

What are other key dates?
Entries open:  May 2 2026
Entries close:  June 27, 2026
Finalists’ Exhibition:  August 29, 2026
Official Opening and prizes announced:  September 5, 2026

Is there a size limit?
A painting must not be larger than 80cm including frame in any direction. 

​Is there a theme?
There is no theme for these awards. We look forward to receiving a diverse range of outstanding entries.

​What mediums are accepted?
The awards are open to all mediums on canvas, board or paper.

Can I submit an older work?
All works submitted for the Award must be original works by the artist whose name appears on the entry form and completed between 2024 and 2026.

Do I need to deliver my work?
Only artists who are finalists will be required to deliver their physical work. Finalists will be notified by email of where and when to deliver their work. 

Can I submit more than one entry?
Artists may submit up to two paintings each. All submissions require a non-refundable administration fee of $25.. Please be aware that only one piece from each artist will be chosen for exhibition.

What file size do the images of my painting/paintings need to be?
Up to two images may be submitted of each work, and one of these must represent the artwork in its entirety. The file size of any image is not to exceed 4MB. File names are to be in the following format:
SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_IMAGE TITLE

Can I make changes to my application?
The artwork details entered on the EAP Art Prize entry form are final and no changes can be made.    

Why do I need to double check my application?
Check your application carefully before submitting; updates can't be made afterward. Pay special attention to your email address, name, image, and banking details.

How will winners be chosen?
The first round of judging will be conducted using images that are submitted online. Paintings selected as finalists will then be judged in situ at The Gallery.  Only artworks chosen as finalists will be exhibited. The judges’ decision is final on all aspects of awarding the Pomona Railway Station Emerging Artists Prize, and no correspondence or appeal will be entered into or considered.

Will my work be available for sale?
Only those who are selected as finalists and hung in Pomona Railway Station Gallery will have their work for sale however the work must remain available until the announcement of the winners.  Each work sold will be subject to a 30% commission for the gallery. 

Emerging Artist Prize Exhibition

29 August to 29 September 2026

Official Opening and prizes announced:  September 5, 2026