2025 Hunter Emerging Art Prize
The creative community is wonderful!
This is something I’ve known for a long while but only recently started to experience it. A few months ago I got a new studio neighbour. One that was fun, friendly, talented and knowing. Knowledge of our local art scene and all the things about our art community that I have yet to learn.
This new friend told me the day we met I should enter the Hunter Emerging Art Prize, I laughed it off. I knew it was on but didn’t have confidence in myself to send in that application. Then that new friend texted me again a week later asking if I had entered? I hadn’t - what would I even enter? Then again the day before submissions closed I received yet another little text reminder to ‘enter the prize!’. That day I had been taking photos of Miners Denim - that was it, this was the piece, I entered. It was last minute but I got my submission in just in time. Now to wait.
Miners Denim 2025 - mixed media on cradled wood panel 1200 × 900.
Two weeks later while pottering in my studio after a magazine photoshoot (that story is coming), I heard the ding of an email alert, wouldn’t you know it… I was picked, a finalist in my first entered art prize! I got emotional, I was not expecting that, my heart obviously wanted this more than I knew.
A few weeks later I dropped Miners Denim into the Newcastle Art Space to be judged.
The Hunter Emerging Art prize has been running for more than 20 years in an effort to support local creatives in the early stages of their careers. 2025 saw 79 finalists in 5 categories. There were 37 finalists in the painting category, including Miners Denim. I have no chance, right? There’s some amazing talent in the Hunter region.
Miners Denim on the gallery wall at the Hunter Emerging Art exhibition.
On opening night I dragged my family along not knowing what to expect but looking forward to meeting new people and viewing some cool art. When we walked in Miners Denim was the first thing I saw, it wasn’t the first artwork in the room, far from it but it stood out and was in a great space for viewing. I was pretty happy with that.
We mingled, discussed and lapped the gallery a few times until it was time to announce the winners. The room gathered and focused towards the stage as the necessary acknowledgments were made then it was time. The painting category was first - Miners Denim by Angelea Van Dam was announced - '“that’s me!” fell from my mouth in disbelief. I could not believe it and it is still crazy to me… I won my first art prize!
Me with my winners certificate and the winning work Miners Denim
To top off an amazing experience Miners Denim also sold on opening night!
Thank you studio neighbour. What a blast, what’s next? A solo exhibition - yes, watch this space.