Mandurah 9×5 Art Prize 2025 – Cats, Dogs & Creative Flair
Mandurah 9×5 Art Prize 2025 – Cats, Dogs & Creative Flair
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Mandurah 9×5 Art Prize 2025 exhibition opening last Friday at the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery! We were thrilled to welcome a full house of artists, supporters, and art lovers to celebrate this year’s playful and heartwarming Cats & Dogs theme.
This annual event honours the legacy of the iconic 9×5 Impressionist movement, with each artist creating a work on a 9×5-inch plywood board—originally inspired by the cigar box lids used by artists of the Heidelberg School. This year, the theme invited artists to explore the personalities, quirks, and charm of our feline and canine companions, and the resulting exhibition is one of our most colourful and spirited to date.
Opening Night Highlights
The official opening on Friday 25 July was a lively celebration of creativity and community, as judges announced the 2025 prize winners across the Youth and Open categories. We extend our congratulations to the following artists:
Award Recipients:
Youth Category – First Prize ($200)
#13 Evangaline D’Argent – Transitions
Sponsored by Mandurah Plein Air Artists
Mandurah Plein Air Artists Prize – First Prize ($200)
Josie McKay – Where Puppy Love Meets the Softest Purr
Sponsored by Friends of Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (FOMPAC)
Open Category – Highly Commended ($200)
#26 Sarah Pondevie – Grumpy Old Man
Sponsored by Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery
Open Category – Highly Commended ($200)
#90 Sarah Bastow – Tiny but Rageful
Sponsored by Peel Chamber of Commerce
Open Category – Second Prize ($750)
#47 Kay Jones – Hazey Days
Sponsored by Terrace Art Framers
Open Category – First Prize ($2000)
#86 Angelena Crotty – Pablo Pawcasso
Sponsored by City of Mandurah
Each of these works stood out for their creativity, technical skill, and joyful interpretation of the theme—well done to all our award recipients and exhibiting artists!
Exhibition Details
The exhibition is now open to the public and runs until Friday 22 August 2025 at the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery, located within the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. With over 100 works on display, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy affordable, original art by local and regional creatives. All artworks are for sale—so don’t miss your chance to take home a one-of-a-kind piece!
📍 Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery, ManPAC
📆 Exhibition Dates: 25 July – 22 August 2025
💵 Free Entry | Artworks Available for Purchase
Behind the Prize
Now in its latest edition, the Mandurah 9×5 Art Prize continues to honour the spirit of small-scale, high-impact creativity. The format draws inspiration from Australia’s Impressionist movement, with a modern twist that invites new voices and fresh ideas each year. In 2025, over 150 entries were received—each artist provided with a 9×5 board to bring their vision to life.
This year’s theme—Cats & Dogs—inspired works that range from playful and humorous to deeply heartfelt. It’s a testament to the joy animals bring into our lives and the endless creative interpretations they spark.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This event would not be possible without the generous support of our community partners:
City of Mandurah, Terrace Art Framers, Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery, Peel Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (FOMPAC), Mandurah Plein Air Artists, and Mandurah Men’s Shed.
📸 Image credits (as pictured above):
Top Row (L–R)
• Youth First Prize: Evangaline D’Argent (Transitions) with Judge Gillian Peebles
• Open First Prize: Angelena Crotty (Pablo Pawcasso) with Judge Gillian Peebles
Bottom Row (L–R)
• Mandurah Plein Air Artists Prize: Josie McKay (Where Puppy Love Meets the Softest Purr) with Judge Gillian Peebles
• Open Second Prize: Kay Jones (Hazey Days) with Judge Gillian Peebles
We encourage everyone to come and explore this delightful showcase of miniature masterpieces. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, animal lover, or simply looking for something unique to enjoy in Mandurah—this year’s 9×5 Art Prize is well worth a visit.