Entries now open for The Percivals 2022

Date published: 1 October 2021

Applications for The Percivals 2022 are now open, with artists from across the country invited to apply for the prestigious visual arts competition.

The Percival Portrait Painting Prize, the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize and the Percival Animal Portrait Prize winners will take home a share of $51,000 in prize money.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said The Percivals were regarded as one of Australia’s leading art competitions.

“The Percivals encapsulates greatness in art. Every two years, Townsville’s Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is filled with outstanding painted and photographed pieces by some of the country’s best artists,” Cr Hill said.

“Hundreds of artists from across Australia and from overseas submit their works to The Percivals and I’m expecting a large number of applications for next year’s competition.

“I would strongly encourage any artist with an interest in portraiture to submit to The Percivals 2022.”

Community and Cultural Development Committee Chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said The Percivals was highly anticipated.

“Each year, we get thousands of people through the door to see the works on show. These works range from remarkable life-like paintings through to expressionist takes on portraiture and stunning photographs,” Cr Greaney said.

“I don’t envy the judges for having to decide on the winners, but I’m already looking forward to visiting the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery next year to see the selected works.”

Last year’s winner of the $40,000 acquisitive Percival Portrait Painting Prize was former North Queensland local Cutler Footway for his piece Jack Betteridge Costumed as an Elf: Don’t F. With Me, Fellas!.

Janet Tavener won the Percivals Photographic Portrait Prize for Ben and Saki and Elissa Sampson won the Percivals Animal Portrait Prize for Still.

Entries to The Percivals are now open, and will close in early February. For more information, visit The Percivals.

The Percivals 2020 entries

  • Percival Portrait Painting Prize: 206 total entries, 127 shortlisted for competition (of the 127, 57 from QLD)
  • Percival Photographic Portrait Prize: 115 total entries, 74 shortlisted for competition (of the 74, 39 from QLD)
  • Animal Portrait Prize: 44 total entries, 38 shortlisted for competition (of the 38, 33 from QLD)