LOCAL artist Anne Toovey was awarded the coveted Best of Show Award at this year’s Ipswich Art Awards for the piece Crescent vessel: Passage.
More than 400 art lovers celebrated 25 years of the Ipswich Art Awards at last week’s opening night event, where the 2025 winners were announced.
The milestone event saw winning artists named across nine awards categories:
- Best in Show Award: Anne Toovey for Crescent vessel: Passage
- Painting – Acrylic: Bethany Lawerance for Coffee with the Girls
- Painting – Oil: Brian Merriman for Commercial Hotel Ipswich
- Painting – Watercolour: Phuong Ly for Warm Lights
- Drawing and Pastels: Shonnie Lomas for I’m Sorry/Hidsight
- Three Dimensions: Stephanie Vale for Gather Community
- Photography: Naomi McKenzie for Developing Dungibara
- Print Making (non-digital): Sabrina Spreafico for Mimetismi
- Mixed Media: Andrea Baumert Howard for Last Light of the day
- New Media: Jennifer Kent for Wallum
Winners in each category were awarded $1500 in prizemoney, with the Best of Show winner receiving $3000.
An additional $1500 will be presented to the People’s Choice Award winner once votes have been counted at the end of the exhibition.
Ipswich City Council’s Economic and Cultural Development Committee Deputy Chair Marnie Doyle said the exhibition had become one of the city’s most celebrated cultural events.
“For the last quarter-century, the Ipswich Art Awards have been a celebration of artistic excellence and connection for our arts community,” Cr Doyle said.
“This year saw an incredible 410 artworks submitted by 285 artists which showcases the diversity and talent from within our region and beyond.
“It was also special to have Wayne McDonnell, founder of the Ipswich Arts Awards and a valued member of the Ipswich Arts Advisory Group, announce this year’s Best of Show Award.
“With such an outstanding field of entries in this year’s awards, the winning artists can be proud to have stood out among some of our nation’s finest creative talent.”
Cr Doyle said this year also saw a record number of artworks awarded Highly Commended certificates, with nearly 50 pieces sold during the opening weekend.
“Arts and culture are at the heart of our city, and Council is proud to offer artists the opportunity to showcase their works,” she said.
