Glover Prize Reveals 42 Finalists for 2026

The John Glover Art Prize has announced its 42 finalists for 2026, representing the judges’ selection of the most compelling contemporary interpretations of the Tasmanian landscape. The works will be displayed at the Glover Prize Exhibition in the historic Falls Park Pavilion, Evandale, over the March long weekend.

Established to honour the legacy of colonial artist John Glover, the Glover Prize has become one of Australia’s leading awards for landscape painting. Open to artists from across the world, it recognises works judged to best engage with Tasmania’s environment and invites a broad understanding of what constitutes landscape painting.

The acquisitive award, valued at $80,000, includes a bronze maquette of John Glover designed by Peter Corlett, valued at $5,000. In addition, all other exhibited works remain eligible for the non-acquisitive awards: the People’s Choice Award ($3,000), Children’s Choice Award ($500), and the Hangers’ Choice Award ($500).

Finalists are selected by a panel of judges from submissions that explore Tasmania’s natural beauty, history, and sense of place. The aim of the prize is to foster discussion around the meaning of landscape, painting, and Tasmania, while encouraging both traditional and experimental approaches to depicting the state’s distinctive environments.

The exhibition offers visitors the chance to see a diverse range of styles, from detailed representational works to abstract and interpretive approaches, reflecting the breadth of contemporary landscape practice. Evandale’s Falls Park Pavilion provides a fitting setting, nestled in the northern plains of Tasmania, where the local landscape forms a backdrop to the works on display.

The Glover Prize has played an important role in promoting Tasmania’s artistic profile and connecting the public with contemporary interpretations of its landscapes. Each year, it brings together artists, collectors, and visitors to engage directly with both emerging and established practitioners working across painting traditions.

The 2026 exhibition promises to continue this dialogue, offering an opportunity for audiences to experience the variety, skill, and vision of artists responding to Tasmania’s natural and cultural environment. The works will be available for viewing during the March long-weekend, with all prize outcomes to be announced during the exhibition.

For more information about the Glover Prize, its finalists, and the exhibition, visit the John Glover Society website.