Home of The Australian Guild of Realist Artists
AGRA’s 50th Anniversary Exhibition
Victorian Artists Society Exhibition Profile
Thank you to Ron Smith OAM Hon FVAS of the Victorian Artists Society for the photo.
Pictured at the AGRA 50th Anniversary Exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society: Top left: AGRA NSW Director Grace Paleg, Lyn Mellady (a Judge and former President) and AGRA Director John Baker
Second row: Walter Magilton (a Judge) and AGRA Director from Shepparton Christine Broersen
Front row: Barbara McManus (a Judge), AGRA President Lulu Clifton-Evans holding the new AGRA Magazine and former AGRA President Colin Johnson. Colin was the third president after Charles McCubbin.
AGRA 50th Anniversary Exhibition
Tears flowed at the AGRA 50th Anniversary Exhibition when Colin and Val Johnson were given a replacement Kenneth Jack work after a fire destroyed their original artwork - which was an anniversary present given by Kenneth Jack in 1965.
The son and daughter of Kenneth Jack, David Jack and Heather Wickstead, presented a replacement work of their father which was a linocut print.
More than 200 people were deeply moved as Colin and Val Johnson embraced during the moving ceremony and the gift of the artwork.
Internationally renowned art educator, Colin Johnson, who taught in England, Italy through to China was the 50 year-old guild's third president - after Charles McCubbin.
Colin hosted the exhibition being held at the Victorian Artists Society at 430 Albert St, East Melbourne.
The successful exhibition which finishes on December 9 features around 170 works by around 90 artists who have helped rejuvenate AGRA as a nationwide organisation with entries from New South Wales and Western Australia.
The exhibition featured a tribute to AGRA founder Kath Ballard with nine of her works on display - as well as an exhibition in the Cato Gallery of work by another AGRA founder Kenneth Jack.
It was Kenneth Jack who originally named the 50 year-old guild which has now been taken nationwide.
President Lulu Clifton-Evans said the exhibition showed the importance and relevance of traditional and realist art in today's world.
"Artificial intelligence may replicate visual images but it can never replicate the emotional response that an artist brings to life through their work," she said.
"AGRA is grateful for the directors nationwide that have rallied to save the organisation as well as the members who are its lifeblood."
Exhibition Results
AGRA FOUNDERS BEST IN SHOW AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Winner: Grace Paleg
Title: Amber Autumn
AGRA FOUNDERS BEST IN SHOW AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Bill Caldwell
Title: Afternoon Light Dromana
AGRA FOUNDERS BEST IN SHOW AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Rod Edelsten
Title: Studio Portrait
AGRA FOUNDERS BEST IN SHOW AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Susan Payne
Title: Rustic
KATH BALLARD BEST WATERCOLOUR AWARD
Judge: Julian Bruere
Winner: Colin Shaw
Title: Lady in Red
KATH BALLARD BEST WATERCOLOUR AWARD
Judge: Julian Bruere
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Anne Melloy
Title: Sea Mist, South Georgia
KATH BALLARD BEST WATERCOLOUR AWARD
Judge: Julian Bruere
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Julie Goldspink
Title: Underwater Magic
KATH BALLARD BEST WATERCOLOUR AWARD
Judge: Julian Bruere
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Jan Martin
Title: Lake Mungo 1
KENNETH JACK MEMORIAL DRAWING
Judges: Alan Rawady and Colin Johnson
Winner: Sarah Ackland
Title: Hydrangeas Number 3
KENNETH JACK MEMORIAL DRAWING
Judges: Alan Rawady and Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Colin Shaw
Title: Music Man
KENNETH JACK MEMORIAL DRAWING
Judges: Alan Rawady and Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Catherine Hamilton
Title: Wisdom Shared
KENNETH JACK MEMORIAL DRAWING
Judges: Alan Rawady and Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Roz McQuillan
Title: The Artist at Work
KENNETH JACK MEMORIAL
Judges: Alan Rawady and Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Susan Payne
Title: Rustic
JEFF WILLIAMS MEMORIAL PORTRAIT/FIGURARTIVE AWARD
Judge: David Chen
Winner: Barbara McManus
Title: Girl of Ukraine
JEFF WILLIAMS MEMORIAL PORTRAIT/FIGURARTIVE AWARD
Judge: David Chen
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Fiona Bilbrough
Title: That time of year again
JEFF WILLIAMS MEMORIAL PORTRAIT/FIGURARTIVE AWARD
Judge: David Chen
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Regina Hona
Title: Friendship in the Park
McCUBBIN OIL PAINTING AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Winner: Jo Reitz
Title: Lon Garden in Summer
McCUBBIN OIL PAINTING AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Lulu Clifton-Evans
Title: A beautiful mystery- the misty magic of Gunnamatta
McCUBBIN OIL PAINTING AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
William Godwin
Title: Scrub
McCUBBIN OIL PAINTING AWARD
Judge: Colin Johnson
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Jo Taylor
Title: Evening Glow
BEST PASTEL AWARD
Judges: Roz Long and Lyn Mellady
Winner: Anne Melloy
Title: Let There Be Light – South Georgia
BEST PASTEL AWARD
Judges: Roz Long and Lyn Mellady
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Linda Finch
Title: The Waiting Game
BEST PASTEL AWARD
Judges: Roz Long and Lyn Mellady
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Caroline Lewellyn
Title: Beauty Stands the Test of Time
BEST PASTEL AWARD
Judges: Roz Long and Lyn Mellady
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Grace Paleg
Title: Amber Autumn
BEST ACRYLIC AWARD
Judge: Vivi Palegeorge
Winner: Cynthia Venn
Title: Red Chair
BEST ACRYLIC AWARD
Best Acrylic Award
Judge: Vivi Palegeorge
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Cynthia Venn
Title: Morning Has Broken
BEST ACRYLIC AWARD
Judge: Vivi Palegeorge
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Ngaere Donald
Title: Farm At Dawn
BEST ACRYLIC AWARD
Judge: Vivi Palegeorge
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Karen van Ulzen
Title: Autumn Birch
BEST STILL LIFE AWARD
Judge: Barbara McManus
Winner: Angelo Quabba
Title: Autumn Scene
BEST STILL LIFE AWARD
Judge: Barbara McManus
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Christine Broersen
Title: Toffee Apple
BEST STILL LIFE AWARD
Judge: Barbara McMnus
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Carole Milton
Title: Magnolias
BEST STILL LIFE AWARD
Judge: Barbara McManus
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Lilian Meade
Still Life with Daisies
BEST LANDSCAPE/SEASCAPE AWARD
Judge: Walter Magilton
Winner: Jo Reitze
Title: Wetlands
BEST LANDSCAPE/SEASCAPE AWARD
Judge: Walter Magilton
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Lyn Mellady
Title: Hung up to Dry
BEST LANDSCAPE/SEASCAPE AWARD
Judge: Walter Magilton
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Julian Bruere
Title: Textural Landscape with Gully
BEST LANDSCAPE/SEASCAPE AWARD
Judge: Walter Magilton
Honourable Mention and Highly Commended
Angelo Quabba
Title: Nobbies at Phillip Island
STUDENT AWARD
Judge Colin Johnson and Lulu Clifton-Evans
Kate Clark
Title: Rosy Glow
STUDENT AWARD
Rodger Stebbing
Title: Pearce’s Beach
ENTRIES NOW CLOSED
Official opening on Saturday, 30 November at 2pm
All welcome
Please RSVP office@agra.org.au and art@bylulu.com.au for catering purposes
Thursday, 6 August to Sunday, 16 August
2026 AGRA Annual Exhibition
More than $8000 worth of prizes to be won
Victorian Artists Society, 430 Albert Road, East Melbourne Exhibition Opening: Saturday, August 8 at 1pm.
Award Categories
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AGRA Founders Award for Best in Show
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Prize: $500 art voucher
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Sponsor: TheArtShop.com.au
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Kenneth Jack Memorial Drawing Award
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Prize: collectable Kenneth Jack drawing worth $2,000 and $300 art voucher
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Sponsor: Senior Art Supplies
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Kath Ballard Best Watercolour Award
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Prize: collectable Kath Ballard watercolour worth $2,000 and $300 art voucher
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Sponsor: Senior Art Supplies
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Jeff Williams Memorial Portrait and Figurative Award
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Prize: $500 art voucher
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Sponsor: Deans Art Supplies
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McCubbin Oil Painting Award
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Prize: $500 art voucher
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Sponsor: TheArtShop.com.au
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Best Pastel
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Prize: $200 art voucher
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Sponsor: Atelier Art Supplies
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Prize: $300 pastel package
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Sponsor: Senior Art Supplies
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Best Still Life
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Prize: $200 art voucher
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Sponsor: Victorian Artists Supplies, Eltham
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Best Landscape/Seascape
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Prize: $500 art voucher
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Sponsor: St. Luke Artist Colourmen
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Best Acrylic
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Prize: $500 art voucher
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Sponsor: Melbourne Artists' Supplies
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Student Award
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Prize: $200 worth of art vouchers
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Sponsor: Senior Art Supplies
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Important Dates
Entries close: Thursday, July 25. After 120 entries are reached for the physical exhibition artwork will continue to feature in the AGRA Online Gallery.
Entry cost: $25 per entry (increased to help cover the venue cost)
Artists may have up to two selected for the physical exhibition.
All artwork will feature on the AGRA Online Gallery and be available for sale for approximately 12 months.
The artwork selected and hung in the 2026 AGRA Exhibition at the Victorian Artists Society will attract a $10 hanging fee.
Exhibition opening:
Saturday, August 8 at 1 PM
Exhibition dates:
August 6 – August 16
Artwork delivery:
Tuesday, August 4, 10 AM – 1 PM
Artwork pick-up:
Monday, August 17 10 AM – 1 PM
Any queries contact art@bylulu.com.au
ENTRY RULES
Limit: Up to four entries per artist for the next AGRA Online Gallery with two selected for the physical exhibition
Size: No larger than 1.2m on one side
Original works only: without Al input or pre-printed photos on canvas - and not exhibited in previous AGRA Exhibitions during the last three years
Entry: artists need to renew membership to enter and receive future magazines. Those who renewed after January 2026 are exempt. Membership renewal is necessary when entering in May.
Online exhibition:
* artwork accepted to hang in the physical exhibition will incur a hanging fee
Location
The Victorian Artists Society
430 Albert Road, East Melbourne
Date and Time
Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm
Weekend - 11am - 4pm
Kenneth Jack Memorial Drawing Award
A quintessential quality of drawing is line - made primarily made through various media
as an expressive extension of our drawing finger.
Artworks submitted ideally will be intentional in their creation as a potential prize
winning work to extend and lift the art of drawing.
Allowed media for drawings:
Dry media – pencils (tonal and coloured); charcoal, conte, progresso, pastels, crayon
Wet media – including inks, fine line pens, liquid pens, water colour
Mixed media
David Jack:
“As the son of Kenneth Jack and on behalf of the family, I want to express our thanks for the way AGRA
has operated over the many yeas and how pleased we are that the new nation-wide council will continue
the Kenneth Jack Memorial Drawing Award to be held at the 50th AGRA Anniversary Exhibition later this
year.”
Kath Ballard Best Watercolour Award
Vicki and Ralph Ballard:
“We would like to express our very deep appreciation to the who people
have kept AGRA alive.
This guild of realist artists, that has now become nation-wide, needs to keep
existing in our art world of many styles and mediums. Realism is still today a
very significant style and the representations of art from this guild are such
an inspiration to artists. We are proud to be associated with this guild and in
memory of our mother, would like to announce our continuing support of
the Kath Ballard Best Watercolour Award. “