The Bayton Award 2025 Finalist Exhibition
22 November 2025 - 15 February 2026
Gallery 2.2
The Bayton Award 2025 is the seventh iteration of this biennial art prize and exhibition, named in recognition of the Right Reverend John Bayton AM for his significant contribution to the development of the Rockhampton Museum of Art Collection.
Open to all forms of art media created by Central Queensland artists, The Bayton Award is presented by Rockhampton Regional Council's Rockhampton Museum of Art.
The Bayton Award Winner: $10,000
Emma Ward Judges judging judgers (After Von Max, Davinci and Cattelan. Ward walks into a bar….) 2025, acrylic on canvas and masonite panel, 163 x 180cm
The Bayton Award Runner-Up: $5,000
Yvonne Elton (Moloney-Law) In Her Voice; Shame and Pain (left), Enough Is Enough (right) 2025, etching, collagraph and intaglio print on paper, 87 x 180cm
The Bayton Award People’s Choice: $1,000
Voting is now open for the People's Choice Award, Scan the QR code in the exhibition to vote! Voting closes 4:00PM Thursday 12 February 2026.
Chris Warby Emerging Artist Bursary Ages 15 - 30 x 2: $1,000 each
Maverick Dunbar Heirloom 2025, graphite pencil and charcoal on paper, 169 x 115cm
Frances Thompson (Bidjara, Kairi Kairi) Brolga 2025, acrylic on canvas, 91.5 x 45.5cm
Mini Bayton Competition Categories
Ages 5-9: Art materials prize pack to the value of $100
Harrison Buchholz Creepers and Friends (detail) 2025, ink, felt pen and collage on watercolour paper, 42 x 29.7cm
Ages 10-14: Art materials prize pack to the value of $100
Thiago Servidoni Tuna in the Ocean 2024, watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42cm
Honourable Mentions
Mark Angus Much Is Life 2025, LED light, 20m extension cord, eight PE-HD Mobius Strips, cable ties, stainless steel fasteners and braided wire, 70 x 50 x 50cm
Geoffrey Head Washed Up 2025, oil, aerosol and collage on canvas, 102 x 183cm
Martin Schlick Daily Routine (detail) 2025, spray paint on timber panel, 61 x 45cm
Linda Weedon Wongari or Wat’dha 2025, acrylic on plywood, 60 x 120cm
All images courtesy of the artists.
The Bayton Award 2025 Finalists
- Mark Angus
- Nanette Balchin
- Alan Bartleet
- Carmen Beezley-Drake
- Catherine Boreham
- Lani Burville
- Ping Carlyon
- Mandy Dollery
- Mame Du Bois
- Maverick Dunbar
- Ray Gleeson
- Janice Graham
- Therese Foley
- Geoffrey Head
- Christine Holden
- Madelyn Holmes
- Taylah Jacobson
- Helen Kavanagh
- Sharon Kirk
- Ken Leslie
- Nancy Liddle
- Peta Lloyd
- Hanbing Lu
- Camille Martin
- Belinda McGrath
- Ainslie McMahon
- Gail Meyer
- Yvonne Elton (Moloney-Law)
- Josephine Morgan
- Sally North
- Melissa Peacock
- Janet Pleash
- Emma Read
- Mikayla Ryan
- Martin Schlick
- Karen Stephens
- Michelle Taranto
- Frances Thompson
- Emma Ward
- Linda Weedon
The Mini Bayton 2025 Finalists
- Eli Alick
- Caitlin Arnold
- Daniel Arnold
- Hayley Arnold
- Harrison Buchholz
- Quinn Buchholz
- Skylar Houston
- Isabella Pennell
- Pippen Sanders
- Thiago Servidoni
- Ryan Spilsbury
- Poppy Wilkes
Judge
Rockhampton Museum of Art is pleased to announce Brian Robinson as the guest judge for The Bayton Award 2025.
Image: The Bayton Award 2025 Judge Brian Robinson
Brian Robinson, an accomplished Australian artist, is renowned for his printmaking, sculpture, and public art. Originally from Waiben and now based in Cairns, he employs diverse techniques to create bold and innovative works.
Robinson's family, with roots in fishing and a blend of Roman Catholic faith and traditional spirituality, hails from the Maluyligal people of Torres Strait and the Wuthathi people of Cape York Peninsula. His artworks, rich in storytelling, offer a unique worldview through graphic prints and contemporary sculptures. With over 30 years of experience, Robinson merges representational and abstract imagery, exploring themes of nature, history, and indigenous culture.
The Bayton Award 2025 Shortlisting Panel:
Shannon Brett, a proud Wakka Wakka/Butchulla/Gooreng Gooreng artist, photographer, designer, educator, researcher and curator
Geraldine Henrici, artist and artsworker with over 17 years’ experience in the visual arts sector
Sarah Thomson, Director, Hervey Bay Regional Art Gallery
Key Dates
Entries open: Monday 30 June 2025 9:00am AEST
Entries close Open Categories: Monday 4 August 2025 4:00pm AEST
Entries close The Mini Bayton Competition: Monday 11 August 2025 4:00pm AEST
Finalists’ notification: Monday 15 September 2025
Artwork deliveries: Thursday 16 October - Saturday 18 October 2025 (between 9:00am - 4:00pm)
Awards announcement event: Saturday 22 November 2025
Exhibition: Saturday 22 November 2025 - Sunday 16 February 2026
Artwork collection: Monday 23 February 2026 - Friday 27 February 2026 (between 9:00am - 4:00pm)
Terms and Conditions for Entry
Entries (Open Category)
Entrants must have resided in one of the following regions or shires for 12 months or more in the 18 months immediately prior to the entry closing date 4 August 2025: Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana, Woorabinda, Central Highlands, Isaac, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Winton, Barcoo, Diamantina and Boulia.
Entry will be via an online application form which will be made available when entries open.
Entry Fee: $30 per entry (maximum of 3 entries)
Entries must be submitted with:
- Entrant Details
- Artwork Details
- Artist Statement (up to 200 words)
- Artist CV
- Installation instructions (if relevant)
- Up to 3 Images images and/or video file (maximum of 10MB saved as .jpeg/jpg file type)
Artworks (Open Category)
Artworks (Open Category)
Two-dimensional artworks cannot exceed 2 metres in any given dimension (inclusive of frame). A stretched canvas is considered framed.
Three-dimensional artworks cannot exceed 2 metres in height and 2 cubic meters in volume.
All works must be able to be safely carried by two people and not exceed a maximum weight of 30kg.
See Terms and Conditions for full artwork requirements.
The Mini Bayton
Entrants must be aged 5 - 14 at the time of the entry closing date.
Entrants must have resided in one of the following regions or shires for 12 months or more in the 18 months immediately prior to the entry closing date 4 August 2025: Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana, Woorabinda, Central Highlands, Isaac, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Winton, Barcoo, Diamantina and Boulia.
Entry will be via an online application form which will be made available when entries open.
Entry Fee: $10 per entry (maximum of 3 entries)
Entries must be submitted with:
- Entrant Details
- Artwork Details
- Artist Statement (up to 50 words)
- 1 image of the artwork (maximum of 10MB saved as .jpeg/jpg file type)
Artworks must be 2 dimensional, A3 size, unframed work on paper.
The Mini Bayton will be displayed in the Rockhampton Museum of Art Margaret Olley Art Trust Collection Study Room.
Click here(PDF, 654KB) to read all terms and conditions for entry and to preview the entry form (Open Category)
Click here(PDF, 646KB) to read all terms and conditions for entry and to preview the entry form (The Mini Bayton)
Niloufar Lovegrove with Resonance of Freedom 2023, Winner of the 2023 Bayton Award, Paulownia wood, Mulberry Paper, ink, synthetic hair, strings and wire, 65 x 80 x 55. Photo: Nathan Hutcheon, Fern Valley Films