Dean Cogle Portrait Prize 2025

Steve Gorman 'Elliot' 2023 Dean Cogle Portrait Prize.  

INTRODUCTION

Dean Cogle was the first resident artist at Dust Temple and started the Portrait Prize in 2015. He contributed immeasurably to the creative landscape of the Gold Coast—an understated yet powerful instigator of culture for over four decades. We are honoured to be able to continue to present the Dean Cogle Portrait Prize with the continuing gracious bequest from Michelle Neumann and her two sons Spencer and Gene Diriz.

The Dean Cogle Portrait Prize has a finalist selection, those selected will hang in the Dust Temple gallery. All entries received can opt into our online gallery and made available for sale with supporting social media posts. The Dean Cogle Portrait Prize offers a first prize of $5000.00, proudly sponsored by Michelle Neumann and Spencer and Gene Diriz, the prize winner is announced on opening night.

Along with the major prize, the packing room prize, chosen by Dust Temple staff and the Dean Cogle Family Prize (aka the professor possum) chosen by Sharyn Hallas and Dean Cogles family will be announced on opening night. 

• Entry is open to professional and hobby artists over 18 residing in Australia.
• Professional artists must supply their ABN
• Artworks entered by the artist must be the original work and concept of the artist.
• Work must be framed to a professional standard. Artwork with damaged frames will not be accepted. Framed work must not exceed 90cmx90cm. Works on stretched canvas are deemed to be ready to hang.
• Only 1 entry per artist is permitted, however diptyches are catalogued as one entry therefore needing only one tag.
• Artists may only submit their original work. 
• Works must not have been entered in a 'PRIZE' exhibition or not previously been exhibited for sale. 
• Only works completed between 2023 and 2025 are accepted.
• Artwork price must include commission. 
• The committee reserves the right to not display some works if there is insufficient space to hang all works.
• The organiser reserves the right to photograph works for publicity purposes.
• All work must be for sale. 33% commission will be charged on sales. Payment will be forwarded within fourteen (14) days after the close of the exhibition.   
• The organiser reserves the right to decline any work submitted that does not comply with the exhibition's strict conditions and standards of entry.                                                

Accepted Media: painting, drawing, mixed media, stencil, sculpture, digital art

ARTISTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT

• A digital image of their original work as a TIF, JPG or Photoshop PDF on a USB thumb drive or via online transfer.
• A completed signed entry form.
• Artist Statement (100) words max in word doc or RTF format or pasted into email
• A non-refundable admin fee of $35AUD

IMPORTANT DATES 

• Date for close of submissions COB 16th June 2025
• Notification of acceptance 19th June 2025
• Works to be delivered between the 20th June until COB 8th July 2025
• Judging 11th August 2023
• Opening Night and winner of Dean Cogle Portrait Prize 2025, 12th July 2025
• Closing 5th August 2025
• Artwork collection from 5th August- CoB 9th August

DELIVERY & COLLECTION OF ARTWORKS 

• Delivery address: Dust Temple 54 Currumbin Creek Rd Currumbin QLD 4223. Late artwork will not be accepted (Please refer to IMPORTANT DATES)
• Works are to be collected between the 5th August and COB 9th August between the hours of 7am and 2pm. (Arrangements can be made for a late pick up on Thursday or Friday of that week.)

FREIGHT, PACKAGING & INSURANCE

• All possible care will be taken but no liability will be accepted by the committee for any loss or damage to works of art.
• Artists are responsible for freight on forward and return shipments. Please make sure all artwork has adequate packaging.
• All transport and insurance costs must be met by the artist.

JUDGING & AWARD

• The Judges decision will be final and correspondence will not be entered into. 
• The Dean Cogle Portrait Prize is a non acquisitive exhibition