Coffs Harbour STILL the one as prestigious art prize entries open
Published on 03 April 2025
Entries have now opened for STILL: National Still Life Award 2025, Yarrila Arts and Museum’s biennial art award.
A $30,000 acquisitive award is on offer, with 2025 marking the launch of the new Coffs Coast Artist Award of $5,000.
The exhibition of finalists will be held at City of Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) from 6 September to 9 November.
“With a prize pool of $36,000 we expect the standard of entry to be high for this biennial exhibition which was established in 2017,” City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams said.
“It was last held in 2023 when we had 1,143 entries. The national award is worth $30,000 alone and it’s a prize that includes acquisition of the art piece – so the winning artwork becomes part of YAM’s collection.”
STILL is open to all Australian resident artists with artworks of all mediums made after 1 January 2024 eligible for entry.
“The award aims to recognise excellence, diversity and innovation in contemporary still life practice while broadening the interpretation of this enduring genre,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.
“By its nature the exhibition will be eclectic - entries might be painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video and installation or something else.”
Demonstrating YAM’s commitment to supporting artists from the local region is the announcement of a Coffs Coast Artist Award which does not include the acquisition of the art piece.
This new award is open to artists currently living and/or working in the Coffs Coast region – taking in the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Nambucca local government areas.
A $1,000 prize will also be up for grabs for the winner of the People’s Choice Award with the public able to vote for their favourite work throughout the exhibition.
Artists can submit up to three entries in STILL 2025.
To check eligibility rules and to enter visit here.
2023 – Alana Hunt
2021 – Blak Douglas
2019 – Kelly Austin
2017 – Sarah Goffman
Past National Still Life Award winning entries. Clockwise from top left - Blak Douglas, Silent Cop; Sarah Goffman, Asian table; Kelly Austin, Stilled Composition 43, and; Alana Hunt, ...and fled swiftly (i and ii).