Phone: (07) 4688 6652

Email: art@tr.qld.gov.au

Instagram: @trartgalleries

Post:

Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery
PO Box 3021
Toowoomba QLD 4350

Research enquiries via email art@tr.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 4688 6652

We welcome visits by groups wishing to enjoy our exhibitions.

Booked groups may self-guide or enquire about a free 30 to 40 minute guided group tour with one of our knowledgeable team members. Guided tours are subject to capacity and availability.

How to book

• Bookings are essential for all group visits.
• We encourage organisers to book at least two weeks ahead.

Bookings can be made by completing our online art gallery booking request.

Guided tours

Thinking of visiting? We offer free guided or self-guided general Gallery tours for school groups and educators Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm. Bookings are essential and educators are encouraged to book at least two weeks ahead.

We cater for students from pre-prep to tertiary level, home-schooled and school groups of any year level with a range of interests, providing opportunities to engage with our exhibitions and diverse collection holdings.

We encourage enquiries from educators who would like a tailored visit to suit their program. Delivery can be flexible, so if you have an idea or wish to book a tour, please let us know your excursion requirements.

Complete our online art gallery booking request and a Gallery team member will be in touch to discuss your visit.

Viewing artwork

The Gallery offers special access to artworks not currently on display for research and educational purposes. If you wish to view Collection items that are not on display as part of your visit should contact the Gallery at art@tr.qld.gov.au with at least 48 hours notice to make a request. Access to items is not guaranteed but will be provided if possible.

The Bolton Reading Room

In addition to the exhibitions on display, groups and researchers can explore The Bolton Reading Room.

The holdings include rare, unique and out-of-print materials relating to:

• Australia’s First Nations peoples
• manuscripts, printed maps and first-edition accounts of maritime and overland journeys of discovery dating from the early 1600s
• Australian literature and art books from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s.

Physical access to browse and read items is by appointment, Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday.

To make an appointment to see this unique collection, please complete our online art gallery booking request.

Virtual exhibition tours

Missed seeing some of our recent exhibitions? You can view the following exhibitions via an interactive virtual tour:

• Contemporary Wearables ’23 Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition and Skin Show: The Art and Rite of Tattoo via our virtual Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery tour.
• How Soon is Now? Bruce Reynolds via our virtual Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery tour.

Subscribe to receive updates on upcoming Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery events, exhibitions and opportunities. We have four different mailing lists you may like to subscribe to:

1. The TRAG mailing list updates subscribers about upcoming Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery events, exhibitions and opportunities. Emails are usually sent monthly along with occasional additional updates.
2. The Cam Robertson Gallery exhibitions mailing list updates subscribers about the exhibition application round/s.
3. The Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award & Exhibition mailing list updates subscribers about the exhibition application round/s.
4. The Opportunities for artists mailing list updates subscribers about opportunities, awards and residencies that may be of interest to artists.

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Gallery spaces at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery are dedicated to the display of our permanent collections, touring exhibitions and gallery projects. At this stage, we are not seeking applications or proposals from artists for our other Gallery spaces. Please contact the gallery via email or phone if you have a project proposal you would like to discuss.

Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art 2025

• 18 October – 16 November

The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art recognise and promote excellence in senior visual art education throughout Queensland state and non-state schools. This regional exhibition displays the creative talents of students from the Darling Downs South West region for 2025.

The Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art would like to thank program partner QAGOMA and regional event partner Teacher’s Mutual Bank for their ongoing support.

Image: Bron FRANCIS / Choose Your Path 2025 / ink on aluminum / 83 x 25cm / © Bron Francis

Contemporary Wearables

• 30 August – 23 November

Showcasing some of Australia’s most prominent and emerging contemporary makers, this exhibition is the focus of Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery's contribution to promoting excellence in contemporary adornment. The award is a forum for innovative contemporary jewellery and object practice.

Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition is proudly supported by Toowoomba Regional Council, Haymans Electrical and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

Opening and award ceremony

• 5.30pm Friday 29 August

Join us for the opening of our Spring exhibition programs including Contemporary Wearables ‘25 Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition Friday 29 August, 5.30pm for 6pm start.

Guest speaker and appointed judge for 2025, Julie Blyfield will announce the awards and Cr Melissa Taylor will announce the acquisitions on behalf of Mayor Geoff McDonald.

RSVP Wednesday 27 August
Free event | Bookings essential | Call 131 872 to book

In Conversation

• 10.30am Saturday 30 August

Australia is home to an incredible contemporary jewellery community that is supported by makers, educators and cultural producers. Join us for an In Conversation event 10.30am Saturday 30 August as we discuss perspectives on the legacy and future of the artform in our country.

Free event | Bookings essential | Call 131 872 to book

Image: Contemporary Wearables 2023 Award Winner Zoë VENESS / Wreath 2023 / Neckpiece: archival paper, stainless-steel cable, sterling-silver tubing / 42 x 42 x 4cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 2417 / Purchased 2023 with funds donated by Toowoomba Gallery Society Inc., 2018. / © Zoë Veness

Ornamentalism

• 9 August – 16 November

Taking its cue from Rupert Bunny’s The harem c.1913, this exhibition features artists from the Gallery’s collections whose work embodies their fascination with pattern and decoration. It focuses on links between ornamentation and Asia’s diverse creative histories.

Image: Rupert BUNNY / The harem c.1913 / oil on canvas / 51.8 x 79.5cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Lionel Lindsay Gallery and Library Collection 002

The Jewel Box

• 3 September – 23 November

Six fortnightly pop-up shows in The Bolton Reading Room: Housing the Lionel Lindsay Library.

Each show features rare books from the Lionel Lindsay Gallery and Library Collection, plus jewellery acquired from previous Contemporary Wearables exhibitions for Toowoomba City Collection, and is designed to complement Contemporary Wearables 25 – Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition.

The exhibition will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday during the following dates. With the addition of Monday 15 & 22 September.

• 3-7 & 10-15 September | Old Maps: Place, Space and People
• 17-22 & 24-28 September | The Lindsay Family: ‘an unorthodox collection of geniuses’
• 1-5 & 8-12 October | Ice, Coal, Crystal
• 15-19 & 22-26 October | First Nations Necklaces: Stringing Culture, Loss and Revival
• 29-31 October, 1-2 & 5-9 November | ‘something rich and strange’: Coral, Plastic and Beachcombing
• 12-16 & 19-23 November | Metamorphosis: Animals, Extinction and Art

Image: YEVONDE [Yevonde Middleton] / Ruby Lind c. 1919 / black and white photograph / in The Drawings of Ruby Lind. (Mrs Will. Dyson) / London: Cecil Palmer, 1920 / Lionel Lindsay Gallery and Library Collection

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• 22 November – 25 January 2026

Colour Pop bursts with vibrancy, showcasing works from the Gallery’s collections and local artists. Through colour, light, and form, this kaleidoscopic exhibition invites viewers to experience emotion, movement, and meaning in bold pigments and luminous installations.

Image: J.P. WILLIS / The flowers of romance (Apache-p) 2009 / archival giclée print / 59 x 59cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 1713 / © J.P. Willis

The Art Club that Built a Gallery: Celebrating Toowoomba Art Society

• 29 November – 22 February 2026

For the past 100 years the stories of Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, its contemporary art collection and the Toowoomba Art Society have been intriguingly entwined. This exhibition unravels and celebrates this relationship through the artworks that founded the City’s Collection.

Image: Kenneth MACQUEEN / The Toowoomba Art Society has a field day c.1950s / watercolour on paper / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 2224 / © Kenneth Macqueen Estate

Opening | Summer Season Exhibitions

• 5.30pm Friday 28 November

Join us for the opening of our Summer exhibition programs: Colour Pop & The Art Club that Built a Gallery: Celebrating Toowoomba Art Society Friday 28 November 5.30pm for 6pm start.

RSVP Wednesday 26 November
Free event | Bookings essential | Call 131 872 to book

The Gallery is home to three permanent collections containing a unique mix of gallery and print materials, Our Collections offer diverse views, stories and ideas about the region and its connection to national and international contexts.

The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection

The Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection focuses principally on 20th-century Australian art, Queensland artists and artists who have an important connection to the Toowoomba Region and its history. 

The collection includes works by significant artists across painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramics, small-scale sculpture and jewellery, including: 

• The Dr Irene Amos OAM Collection - Amos Bequest is a major acquisition and forms an important part of the overall catalogue of works.
• Acquisitions from Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition have made an important contribution to building one of Australia’s leading contemporary jewellery collections at the Gallery.  

Image: Installation view Multiple Originals: Prints from the Collection, 2020.

Lionel Lindsay Gallery and Library

Named in honour of Sir Lionel Lindsay, this unique collection was opened by the then Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, in 1959. It was originally assembled by Toowoomba couple, W.R.F (Bill) Bolton MBE and Marion Bolton, whose dedication has left the city with a remarkable legacy.

The art collection features over 400 artworks by members of the Lindsay family and many other significant Australian painters, including Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Rupert Bunny.

The collection of print materials is of national importance and comprises:

• rare, unique and out-of-print materials relating to Australia's First Nations peoples
• manuscripts, printed maps and first-edition accounts of maritime and overland journeys of discovery dating from the early 1600s
• Australian literature and art books from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s. 

The manuscripts include important documents such as letters written by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, navigator La Perouse and writer Henry Lawson, as well as Lionel Lindsay's own papers.

The Fred and Lucy Gould Art Collection

The Fred and Lucy Gould Art Collection is an eclectic collection of approximately 350 works. The collection was donated to the people of Toowoomba in 1950 by Mr Fred Gould, in memory of his wife Lucy. Lucy enjoyed drawing and painting, while Fred served for some years as a trustee of the Queensland Art Gallery. 

The result of their interests can be seen in this collection which includes:

• antique furniture
• fine porcelain and glassware
• gold and silverware
• bronzes
• drawings and paintings
• and many other items.

Mostly from Europe, Asia and Australia, the pieces date from the early 1700s to the 1930s, and some of Lucy Gould's artworks are included. The importance of this community asset is well realised by Toowoomba City Council which, since the late 1980s, has carried out a program of conservation to ensure that The Fred and Lucy Gould Art Collection will be preserved for future generations, as an important element of the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery.

Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition is the focus of Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery's contribution to promoting excellence in contemporary adornment. The award was established in 1989, with the aid of the Toowoomba Gallery Society Inc., and is a forum for experimental and innovative contemporary jewellery and object practice.

Awards in 2025

• Excellence Award    $6000
• Innovation Award     $4000
• Student Award         $2000

We are proud to announce:

2025 Excellence Award: Sylvia Nevistic To have and to hold 2025

2025 Innovation Award: Cara Johnson Flock I, II & III 2023–2024

2025 Student Award: Jessica Andersen Wearable memorial for lab rats 2024

The award is a highlight in the calendar of many of Australia’s leading contemporary jewellers and object practitioners. The exhibition showcases the current trends of makers and celebrates the innovation and craftmanship of artists.

This year’s award was juried by:

• Caitlin Eyre, Curator and Exhibitions Manager, JamFactory, Independent Arts writer
• Tineke Van der Eecken, Artist
• Lisa Waup, First Nations Artist and Curator

2025 judge:

• Julie Blyfield, Jeweller and Metalsmith

Juried and judged by leading industry professionals, the Award showcases the work of Australia’s prominent and emerging contemporary makers. In addition, exhibited pieces are eligible for acquisition for the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection. Acquisitions from the Award have made a significant contribution to building one of Australia’s leading contemporary jewellery collections housed at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery.

2025 Acquisitions to the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection

• Sylvia Nevistic To have and to hold
• Cara Johnson Flock I, II & III 
• Michelle Cangiano See / Saw
• Felix Gill Cry me a river two
• Mascha Moje Untitled (skull)
• Belinda Newick …is too many
• Gabbee Stolp Ghosts

The following acquisition was made possible with the support of Haymans Electrical

• Jane Bowden Sequence

Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition is proudly supported by Toowoomba Regional Council, Haymans Electrical and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

Contemporary Wearables ’25 Selected Works are:

Jessica Andersen Wearable memorial for lab rats
Roseanne Bartley Let the Necklace Speak series: muttering
Sue Beardman Unity 1 and Unity 2
Simon Bodycoat Golden orb ring I, II and III
Jane Bowden Sequence – studies in beads
Ximena Briceno Dress 5
Susan Buchanan Crack flower #5 and Crack flower #6, from the Crack flowers series
Melissa Cameron Rapidly closing window … 5
Michelle Cangiano See / Saw
Janine Combes Flourish brooch
Laila Marie Costa Younger sister of the ansty misunderstood btweenager
Sarah Elson Pull the earth around me 2 and Pull the earth around me 5
Marcus Foley If all else fails, you can always plant flowers
Felix Gill Cry me a river two
Katherine Grocott 2048 brooches
Lori Hakim 99 bottles and Plastic problems series
Michelle Hales WASTE
Gabi Harris Wind vs Coal II
Kirsten Haydon Ice drops neckpiece
Mari Hirata Omamori : Spaces in between
Krystal Hurst Bitjuru and We speak
Cara Johnson Flock I, II and III
Judy Keogh Facing up to fast fashion
Kath Kerswell creatures who may or may not be dangerous
Lois Kim Ortho
Anke Kindle Ostium scrubber brooch
Cinnamon Lee Night jewels
Gillian Marriage Floral rebirth collection
Josephine Mascaro Of girlfriends and wonder women
Alison McDonald Just for the love of chasing
Sharon McEntee Plastic tide – Ocean whispers
Mascha Moje Untitled (skull)
Sylvia Nevistic To have and to hold
Belinda Newick … is too many
Emily O'Brien Fears | Fierce
Radka Passianova Curated self
Clare Poppi Hiding rock and Thoughts in my head
Vivian Qiu Hometown Chaozhou, China
Birgit Schubert-Kingcott Variations on the theme
Emily Snadden Scorched eucalypt
Gabbee Stolp Ghosts
Marika Strohschnieder Mother of pearl
Bic Tieu Circling Cabramatta (no. 2)
Claire Townsend Process III
Kathryn Wardill Sea
Melinda Young The storyholder (carried to the table)
Yinuo Yu Self portrait reverie 1&2&3 (series)
Elisa Zorraquin Am I a ring? Or two complicated things?

All pieces selected for exhibition are eligible for awards and acquisition for the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection.

Contemporary Wearables '25 Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition is on display until 23 November 2025.

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• Entries open: December 2024
• Entries close: 2 May 2025
• Selected artists notified: 6 June 2025
• Delivery of works: 23 June - 18 July 2025
• Opening Award and Ceremony: Friday 29 August 2025
• Exhibition Dates: 30 August - 23 November 2025

Entries for Contemporary Wearables '25 Biennial Jewellery Award and Exhibition are closed. To plan for Contemporary Wearables '27 below are current requirements.

Eligibility requirements

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Australia.
• The entry must be made in the past two years, including student entries, and must be the sole work in design and craftsmanship of the artist or collaborating artists.
• The entry must adhere to the terms and conditions on our website.

Entry requirements

• Artist entry fee of $35 (incl. GST) – includes up to two separate works. To be paid via credit card over the phone.
• Payment is required before submitting this entry form.
• The entry form will require the following details:
  • artist statement - 200 words maximum
  • description of work - 200 words maximum
  • high resolution images - up to four images per work entered
  • Works can be a piece, set, or series and images can show the construction and can include pieces being worn or in context
  • installation components if intrinsic to the work including multimedia, photographs etc.
  • a letter on institutional letterhead confirming student status (if applicable)
• The completed entry must be submitted no later than Friday 2 May 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact the Gallery team on 07 4688 6652 or email ContemporaryWearables@tr.qld.gov.au

Entries

• Artists must be permanent residents of Australia.
• Entered works must have been made in the past two years (including student entries) and must be the sole work in design and craftsmanship of the artist or the collaborating artists.
• All entries must be available for acquisition. The acquisition price must include the amount the artist wishes to receive plus any GST and/or agent fees payable by the artist.
• All works must be available for the full exhibition period.
• Artists are eligible to enter up to 2 (two) separate works. Works can be a piece, set or series and include multimedia or installation components if intrinsic to the work.
• Multiple jewellery pieces entered as one work/set/series will be accepted at the discretion of the Gallery.
• Only one entry fee per artist applies.
• The entry fee is payable by credit card over the phone prior to filling in the online entry form. Visa and MasterCard payments will attract a 0.33% surcharge.
• Call Toowoomba Customer Service Centre - From Australia 131 872, Monday to Friday 8.30am– 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time to pay the entry fee.
• Applications must be submitted no later than 5pm Friday 2 May 2025.
• Late entries cannot be accepted.
• Entries without a $35.00 entry fee cannot be accepted.
• No refunds on entry fees will be made under any circumstances.
• Completed submission of entry indicates the artist’s consent to the full terms and conditions.
• Images supplied should visually describe the entry and should showcase detailed areas of fashioning and construction integral to the work.
• Works must be photographed against a plain background.
• Maximum of 4 images per work submitted.
• Images must be digital, high resolution, resolved to at least 300 dpi, no more than 2MB each and must be suitable for print reproduction.
• Images must be submitted electronically via email. Image file MUST be named using your name and artwork title.
• A description of the work including materials and techniques used must be supplied electronically with the entry – 200 words max.
• Artist statements must be supplied with the entry and must describe the areas, themes or concerns that inform the entrant’s practice and address the rationale for the work – 200 words max.
• To be eligible for the Student Award, the entrant must have completed the work entered while enrolled in a relevant arts course. A letter on an institutional letterhead confirming this status must be supplied by the course examiner and included with the entry.
• Entries will be assessed by a jury panel of arts professionals appointed by Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery including jewellers, educators, curators and gallery representatives.
• Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery reserves the right to cancel any aspect of the award and exhibition, change dates or restrict entry due to legislative obligations.

Selected artists

• Selected artists will be notified and emailed an ‘acceptance form’ by Friday 6 June 2025.
• All decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Selected artists must confirm their participation by returning the completed ‘acceptance form’ [itemising acquisition price, insurance value, artist contact details and GST status] by 22 June 2025.
• Only the selected work as illustrated in entry images will be exhibited. No variation in size, sets or series will be considered.

Publicity & promotion

• Selected participants give Toowoomba Regional Council permission to reproduce photographs of any entries with participant’s acknowledgement for promotional, archival, catalogue and educational support material purposes related to the exhibition and the Gallery’s. collections and services prior to, during and after the exhibition period without fee. The signed entry form acknowledges this permission.

Packaging

• A completed delivery form (supplied) must accompany each work.
• Works must be securely packed in an appropriate Australia Post container or equivalent to ensure undamaged delivery.
• Packaging must be easily reusable for the return of works. Works will be unpacked and re-packed according to artist’s instructions.
• Pre-paid, self-addressed return packaging must be enclosed for the return of work.
• Any work without pre-paid, self-addressed return packaging will not be returned to the artist and the work(s) disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2009.
• It is the artist’s responsibility to notify the Gallery of any change of address and contact details during the duration of the project.

Delivery of works

• Selected participants are responsible for all transit costs. Works must arrive to the Gallery and return to the artist free of charge.
• Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery will accept no liability for loss/damage during transit.
• Works must be delivered to the Gallery once the selected artist has returned their completed ‘acceptance form’ and NO LATER than 5pm Friday 18 July 2025.
• Works received later than 18 July 2025 will not be accepted.

Insurance

• Selected artists are responsible for the insurance of their work during transit to and from the Gallery.
• Works will be insured by the Gallery during the exhibition from the time of receipt at the Gallery until the time of dispatch back to the artist on agreement of insurance value.

Exhibition

• The exhibition will be on display at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery from Saturday 30 August until Sunday 23 November 2025.
• The Gallery will not facilitate sales and works will not be for sale to the public during the exhibition.
• Selected artists may request their supplied contact details be provided to interested patrons for sales opportunities.
• Under no circumstance will any works selected for exhibition be removed prior to the end of the exhibition by the artist or their representative.

Awards & acquisitions

• The Judge will be appointed by Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. The Judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The Judge will make recommendations for acquisitions.
• The Gallery reserves the right to not acquire.
• The date of the official opening with announcement of awards and acquisitions is Friday 29 August 2025.
• Award winners and artists of acquired works will be notified by phone.
• All artists will be advised of Award winners and acquisitions by Monday 1 September 2025.
• Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery reserves the right to limit entry, amend rules or substitute prizes if considered necessary without notice.

Return of works

• Any work not acquired for the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection will be dispatched to the artist by end of November 2025.
• Works will be returned using prepaid postage as supplied by the artist.
• Works will be returned to last known address. It is the responsibility of the artist to notify the Gallery in writing of any change in address and contact details as soon as possible after these become known.

Contemporary Wearables '23

The 2023 Award exhibition was juried by:

• Cassandra Lehman, Co-Director: Creative at Artisan
• Christian Hall, Contemporary artist in object art and design, Non- Executive Director Guildhouse, South Australia and former Creative Director - Metal Design Studio Jam Factory Contemporary Craft & Design
• Emily McCulloch Childs, Gallerist, curator, writer, art historian, researcher, publisher and fundraiser, Co-director of McCulloch & McCulloch and Everywhen Artspace, Founder The Indigenous Jewellery Project.

The appointed judge for 2023 was Chloë Powell, Co-Founder and Director of Radiant Pavilion, Melbourne Contemporary Jewellery and Object Biennial.

Award winners:

• Award winner: Zoë Veness / Wreath 2023 (neckpiece) - Acquired
• Runner-up: Kirsten Haydon / Ice holds 2023 (9 neckpieces & 36 pendants) - Acquired
• Student award: Beth Sanderson / Grating 2022 (4 brooches)

Two awarded works have been acquired for the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection.

The following works were also acquired for the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection:

• Sarah Elson / Fuck cluster brooch 2021
• Kath Inglis / Caulerpa with Epiphytes neckpiece 2023
• Katheryn Leopoldseder / Vic’s Rosary 2022
• Jason Moss / YES 2023
• Melinda Young / The Intruders (Brickface & Coalface) 2022

Image: 2023 Award Winner / Zoë VENESS / Wreath 2023 / Neckpiece: archival paper, stainless-steel cable, sterling-silver tubing / 42 x 42 x 4cm / © Zoe Veness

Contemporary Wearables '21

The 2021 Award exhibition was juried by:

• Dr Elizabeth Shaw, Contemporary Jeweller and Senior Lecturer, Head of Jewellery and Small Objects Department, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University
• Marian Hosking, Contemporary Jeweller and former Head of Gold and Silversmithing Departments at both RMIT and Monash University
• Dr Nicholas Bastin, Contemporary Jeweller and Lecturer Gold and Silversmithing, School of Art, RMIT University.

The appointed judge for 2021 was Barbara Heath, one of Australia’s leading contemporary jewellers.

Award winners:

• Award winner: Sarah Rayner & Sophie Carnell / Florilegium… traversing the poetry of plants 2020 (42 brooches - details shown above and right) - Acquired

• Runner-up: Kyoko Hashimoto / Coal necklace 2020 (neckpiece) - Acquired

• Student award: Kierra-Jay Power / Museum drawer series (Meloys rubicola) 2020          

Two awarded works have been acquired for the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection.

The following works were also acquired for the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection:

• Maddison Bygrave - Ngarra brooch 1 and Ngarra brooch 2
• Gretal Ferguson - Long Stitch (1 brooch)
• Mari Hirata - Tidal (series of 3 brooches)
• Anke Kindle - Order of the Kratzbürste (1 brooch)
• Elfrun Lach - Superspreaders series (6 brooches)

Images: 2021 Award Winner Sarah RAYNER and Sophie CARNELL / Florilegium… traversing the poetry of plants 2020 (detail) / 42 brooches: hand carved porcelain with terra sigillata, sterling and fine silver / 26 x 375 x 8cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection 2387 / Purchased from Contemporary Wearables ’21 with funds donated by Toowoomba Gallery Society 2018 / © Sarah Rayner and Sophie Carnell

Contemporary Wearables '19

The 2019 award exhibition was juried by:

• Simon Cottrell - Lecturer / Researcher, Gold and Silversmithing Workshop, ANU School of Art & Design
• Claire Sourgnes - CEO Artisan
• Chloë Powell - Curator and Exhibitions Manager, Craft Victoria, Co-founder and Director, Radiant Pavilion: Melbourne Contemporary Jewellery and Object Biennial

The appointed judge for 2019 was Marian Hosking, Silversmith.

Award winners:

• Award winner: Melissa Cameron Corporate entity / corporeal entity  2017 (neckpiece)
• Runner-up: Jennifer Fahey Uncanny encounters 2017 (26 pins)
• Student award: Kristina Neuman Sill in Cylinder 2019 (neckpiece)

Two awarded works have been acquired for the Toowoomba City Collection.

The following works were also acquired for the Toowoomba City Collection:

• Sue Buchanan Urban Garland (neckpiece)
• Kayannie Denigan Ngathu Bubu (2 x brooch)
• Pennie Jagiello The crown-of-thorns has nothing over the Anthropocene  (neckpiece)
• Cara Johnson Unearth (neckpiece)
• Sultana Shamshi The Phoenix Tree (brooch)
• Bic Tieu Kangaroo Paws (brooches)
• Nina van Duijnhoven A Collaboration (neckpieces)
• Leonie Westbrook Yellow Rectangle Pendant (neckpiece)
• Melinda Young Future Relic Neckpiece (neckpiece)

Image: 2019 Award Winner Melissa CAMERON / Corporate entity / corporeal entity 2017 / Neckpiece: stainless steel, vitreous enamel titanium / 10.5 x 10.5 x 1.0cm; 76.0cm chain / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - City Collection 2339 / Acquired from Contemporary Wearables 2019 Biennial Jewellery Award & Exhibition / © Melissa Cameron

Contemporary Wearables '17

Contemporary Wearables '17 was juried by:

• Dr Sabine Pagan - contemporary jeweller and interdisciplinary practitioner
• Mr Kevin Murray - independent writer, curator and managing editor for Garland Magazine. 

The appointed judge for 2017 was Mr Phill Mason, Gem-Cutter, Goldsmith and Studio-Jeweller.

Award winners:

• Award winner: Luke Abbot Mandible Setting 2017 (articulated ring)
• Runner-up: Anja Jagsch Symbiosis 2017 (four rings)
• Student award: Michaela Pegum Quale II 2016 (neckpiece)

The three awarded works were acquired for the Toowoomba City Collection.

The following works were also acquired for the Toowoomba City Collection:

• Leonie Westbrook Yellow Rectangle (bangle)
• Inari Kiuru Night falls over Brunswick (two brooches)
• Sandie Lee For Love (two neckpieces)
• Sophie Carnell Papers for thoughtful girls (neckpiece)
• Bin Dixon-Ward Red Squares #1 (neckpiece)
• Katheryn Leopoldseder Household Idols (three rings)
• Tatjana Panyockzi In the picture (neckpiece)
• Bic Tieu Connected Landscapes (brooch)
• Blanche Tilden Flow 03 (neckpiece)
• Nina Van Duynhoven "What is to give light must endure burning." - Viktor Frankl (five brooches)

Image: 2017 Award Winner Luke ABBOT / Mandible setting 2017 / articulated ring: titanium, 925 silver, gem / 2.8 x 2.1 x 0.7cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection 2207 / Acquired from Contemporary Wearables 2017 Biennial Jewellery Award & Exhibition / Reproduced by kind permission.

Contemporary Wearables '15

Contemporary Wearables '15 was juried by:

• Dr Dorothy Erickson - historian and artist-jeweller
• Melanie Pitkin - Assistant Curator, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences
• 48 jewellers were selected from Australia and New Zealand.

Sabine Pagan, contemporary jeweller and former Head of BA (Jewellery) at Charles Sturt University judged the award.

Award winners:

• Award winner: Christel Van Der Laan Eureka 2014 (brooch)
• Runner-up: Kate Wischusen Manhole #1 2014 (brooch)

The following works were acquired for the Gallery’s Collection:

• Catrine Berlatier Double Link (necklace)
• Susan Buchanan The new jewels – Safety Pin, I See You #1 & #2 (three brooches)
• Michelle Cangiano The Healer (neckpiece)
• Elfrun Lach  Frangia (necklace)
• Carly Lay Oppression | Suppression (two neckpieces)
• Larah Nott Flight #10 (brooch)
• Christel Van Der Laan Eureka (brooch)
• Janice Vitkovsky Frequency & Transparent threads (two brooches)
• Kate Wischusen Manhole #1 (brooch)
• Alister Yiap Fault-Line (ring)

No student award was presented. 

Image: 2015 Award Winner Christel VAN DER LAAN / Eureka 2014 / brooch – ceramic honeycomb, oxidised silver, gold, onyx, mirror, paint / 9.0 x 10.0 x 2.5cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection 2121 / Acquired from Contemporary Wearables 2015 Biennial Jewellery Award & Exhibition / Reproduced by kind permission.