Winners Announced - 2025 Du Rietz Art Awards

Published on 23 October 2025

The Gympie Regional Gallery is delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Du Rietz Art Awards, revealed at the official ‘Opening Night and Awards Announcement’ on Friday, 17 October.

This year’s Awards attracted over 230 entries of 2D and 3D works from across Australia and the Gympie region, with a final selection of 97 works showcased in the exhibition.

2025 Du Rietz Art Awards Winners

• 2D Acquisitive Award ($6,500) — Sponsored by Countrywide Metals
  Winner: Kellie O’Dempsey, ‘Bathroom Scene and Amber Glass Door (with wood panelling)’
• 2D Highly Commended ($1,500) — Sponsored by CAA Consulting
  Winner: Rosie Lloyd-Giblett, ‘Mistletoe and Honey’
• 3D Acquisitive Award ($3,500) — Sponsored by Budget Steel
  Winner: Karen Lynch, ‘Recurve’
• Local’s Award ($3,000) — Sponsored by SoMa SoMa Espresso Bar
  Winner: Ian Gunn, ‘there is always beauty’

Gympie Regional Council Mayor, Glen Hartwig, said this year’s exhibition showcased the strongest collection of works in the event’s history.

“Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Du Rietz Art Awards. The standard of entries keeps lifting each year, and it’s fantastic to see both national and local artists represented,” Cr Hartwig said.

“Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening night, it was a wonderful evening, and the Gallery team once again did an outstanding job making it such a memorable event.

“I encourage everyone to visit the exhibition, enjoy these outstanding works, and cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award.”

Visitors are also invited to take part in the People’s Choice Award, valued at $1,000. The winner will be announced on the Gympie Regional Gallery’s Facebook page on 15 November. 

The Du Rietz Art Awards exhibition is open now and will continue until Friday, 21 November 2025.

This year’s awards are proudly supported by Countrywide Metals, Budget Steel, SoMa SoMa Espresso Bar, CAA Consulting, David and Sally Gartshore, Annette Reilly, Heinke Butt, and Drs Calin and Mihaela Negru-Radu.

The Gympie Regional Gallery, located at 39 Nash Street, Gympie, offers free entry and is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am–4pm, and Saturday, 10am–2pm.

For more information, visit www.gympie.qld.gov.au/Community/Arts-and-Culture/Gympie-Regional-Gallery/Du-Rietz-Art-Award or call the Gallery on 1300 307 800.