Narrabri Portrait Prize paints a picture of our region

The Narrabri Portrait Prize: Local Lives exhibition has certainly been the talk of the town, showcasing familiar faces, unveiling local artistic talent and celebrating a diverse mix of stories from across our wonderful region.

Katherine Harvey was named the Major Prize winner of the inaugural Narrabri Portrait Prize for her watercolour painting of her brother and local identity, Denis Harvey. The portrait is titled This Is Home.

Bianca Egan, Katie Watson, Kate Schwager and Georgia Boyle.

Judy Nobilo was awarded the Local Artist Award for Deep in Thought, a portrait of Craig Salmon and Jesse Shorter received the Encouragement Award for Visions of Daff, a portrait of Wayne McDonald (Daff).

The Palmer was packed on opening night, with locals, friends and family attending the fabulous evening out to support the artists and view the fantastic portraits.

Molly and Carolyn Slattery. Photo: Penny Vella.

The Tourist’s walls were filled with recognisable, iconic and legendary local faces, each portrait capturing something of the sitter’s personality and connection to the Narrabri region.

There were lesser-known faces too, giving visitors the chance to discover stories they may not have heard about, including Kate Schwager’s portrait of Peter Hall, titled The Forgotten Architect.

Jesse Shorter received the Encouragement Award for Visions of Daff, a portrait of Wayne McDonald (Daff). Photo” Penny Vella.

“Born in Newcastle and raised during his early childhood in Narrabri … Peter Hall accepted the formidable task of leading the completion of the Sydney Opera House, shaping an icon whose success often eclipsed his own name. This portrait seeks to bring that story back into the light. It celebrates Hall’s legacy while reminding us that regional beginnings are not limitations. They are foundations from which vision, courage and extraordinary achievement can grow,” reads the artist’s statement.

Olwyn Campey painted her brother Ron. Photo: Penny Vella.

In its inaugural year, there are high hopes that the Narrabri Portrait Prize will be back again next year, with the community embracing the exhibition.

The 24 finalists received high praise for stepping up to be part of the competition and for putting their work out into the world.

Niki Wohling painted her son Chayse Wohling. Photo: Penny Vella.

The artists and sitters combined represent a fascinating cross-section, many moving out of their everyday roles and comfort zones to take part – from farmers and sports stars to community volunteers, teachers, artists, businesspeople, family members and loved ones, health and agriculture professionals, well-known local characters and more.

Coral Marshall painted husband Philip Marshall. Photo: Penny Vella.

Together, the 24 portraits captured not only familiar faces, but a snapshot of the stories, connections and contributions that have helped to shape the Narrabri Shire.

Madison Tanks painted Will Childs. Photo: Penny Vella.

Marijke Griffiths painted the late Chris Pike; Judy Nobilo painted Craig Salmon; Craig Salmon painted George Woodham (Jim); Kate Schwager painted Peter Hall; Deb Michell-Smith painted Amber Driver; Carmel Woolford painted John Barton; Jesse Shorter painted Wayne McDonald (Daff); Stephen Jones painted Ann Trindall Williams; Niki Wohling painted her son Chayse Wohling; Coral Marshall painted husband Philip Marshall; Jack Murray painted Ian Cameron; Emma Joseph painted Bert Manning; Jenny Mapstone painted her dad Philip Norrie; Scott Pollock painted Lisa Almagro; Olwyn Campey painted her brother Ron; Brenton Swadling painted Wanda and Ian Dunnet; Katherine Harvey painted her brother Denis Harvey; Naomi Thomson painted Jeff Thomson; Kim Howarth painted Noeline Kiss; Heidi Gleeson painted Rachel Cantrill; Madison Tanks painted Will Childs; Pippy Nancarrow painted ‘Guess Who?’; Jessica Tribe painted her daughter Ebony Skrtic; and Carolyn Slattery painted her daughter Molly Slattery.

Some of the finalists in the Narrabri Portrait Prize, Niki Wohling, Craig Salmon, Brenton Swadling, Kate Schwager, Jesse Shorter, Coral Marshall, Madison Tanks, Katherine Harvey, Carolyn Slattery, Heidi Gleeson; front, Olwyn Campey, Emma Joseph, Jess Tribe, Jenny Mapstone, Stephen Jones and Deb Michell-Smith. Photo: Penny Vella.

Some of the artists said they wanted to pay tribute to the subject of the work, explaining it was their sitter who had inspired them to pick up a paintbrush.

Judy Nobilo was awarded the Local Artist Award for Deep in Thought, a portrait of Craig Salmon. Photo: Penny Vella.

“I was lucky enough to be Chris’s support worker for seven years. During that time, I came to know the little things that made Chris who he was: his love for Narrabri, his strong opinions, his conversations, his routines and his unmistakable presence around town. This artwork is my tribute to Chris and to the place he called home,” said Marijke Griffiths’ artist statement about the late Chris Pike. “Through this portrait, I hope to honour his individuality, humour, and the lasting impact he had on those around him. It is a tribute to a local character whose absence is felt, but whose memory continues to live on through the stories he left behind.”

On Friday, 16 October, people had the chance to be part of an intimate In Conversation evening with Narrabri Portrait Prize finalists Scott Pollock and Deb Michell-Smith, along with special visitor and 2025 Archibald Prize winner Julie Fragar, a Wee Waa High School graduate.

Jack Murray’s portrait of Ian Cameron received lots of positive comments among attendees on opening night.

Tim Brooker.

The artist’s statement with the portrait reads: “Ian has lived in this district all his life. A gifted athlete in his youth and a champion at school, he went on to represent NSW Country Rugby in probably the best team ever. Ian has always been a gentleman who rarely had a bad word to say about anyone – an example to us all. Life has not been without tragedy, losing his brother Richard at a young age, and Albert, his wonderful dad. Ian has since succumbed to Parkinson’s disease, and we have all seen a wonderful, loving man suffer, along with his family. He gave me the inspiration to paint his portrait.”

Carolyn Slattery, Abigail Pokarier, Jo Turner, Erryn Todd-Cleave and Molly Slaterry.

The Narrabri Portrait Prize is another shining example of Angie Jones and the Tourist Hotel championing local artists. Previously, the pub has hosted CREATE collaborations and other exhibitions that put a spotlight on the region’s talent and creative spirit while inviting everyone else along to soak up the experience.

Katherine Harvey was named the winner of the inaugural Narrabri Portrait Prize: Local Lives. Katherine painted her brother, Denis Harvey. Pictured, Katherine, Denis, Carmel and Josie Harvey.

On Friday 16 October, people had the chance to be part of an intimate In Conversation evening hosted by journalist Ali Smith, interviewing finalists Deb Michell-Smith and Scott Pollock along with special visitor and 2025 Archibald Prize winner Julie Fragar.

In 2025, the Wee Waa High School graduate won Australia’s most prestigious art prize with her portrait of fellow artist Justene Williams, titled Flagship Mother Multiverse.

Sitter Denis Harvey, inaugural Narrabri Portrait Prize-winning artist Katherine Harvey, judge Allison Bellinger, event supporter and organiser Angie Jones (Tourist Hotel) and judge Brooke Dalton.

At the time, former Wee Waa teacher and principal Peter Carrett said: “Another amazing former student from Wee Waa High School … just goes to show that you can grow up anywhere and still reach the top of the tree in your chosen profession.”

A group of WWHS students had the amazing opportunity to visit the Art Gallery of NSW for the 2025 Archibald Prize and meet Julie Fragar.

Growing up in the region and inspiring the next generation of art students were just two of the topics talked about on Friday.

Inaugural Narrabri Portrait Prize-winning artist Katherine Harvey with her sitter Denis Harvey. Katherine’s watercolour portrait of her brother and popular local identity Denis was praised by the judges.

The conversation also touched on the different creative processes of the three artists, their passions and journeys to finding art.

There were also some great and thoughtful questions from attendees, who relished the chance to attend Narrabri’s ‘own Archies’, while chatting with an Archibald Prize winner about portraiture.

Angie Jones, Kate Schwager and Bianca Egan.

People still have a chance to explore the portraits and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award, which is set to be announced on 23 October, the final day of the exhibition. It’s kindly sponsored by Currow Pty Ltd.