Joondalup launches new gallery with a bang

Unseen artworks by 10 acclaimed Western Australian artists will go on show at the Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery next month when the City hosts the 2025 Invitation Art Prize Exhibition.

The City of Joondalup’s Invitation Art Prize marks a significant milestone as it finds a new home in Perth's newest cultural destination, with exhibition visitors among the first to explore the new gallery space.

The Invitation Art Prize will run from Thursday 16 October-Saturday 13 December 2025. Entry for visitors is free.

The exhibiting artists are Tom Blake, Sam Bloor, Bruno Booth, Erin Coates, Sarah Elson, Tim Meakin, Sherry Quiambao, Andy Quilty, Anna Louise Richardson and Tyrown Waigana.

Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob said this year’s program is a celebration of the strength, diversity and originality of the Western Australian contemporary art scene.

“We are not only bringing together 10 exceptional artists, but we are also celebrating the opening of our new gallery – a permanent home for creativity in the heart of Joondalup,” he said.

“The 10 artists represent the very best of WA's contemporary art scene, and we're thrilled to offer our community free access to world-class artistic excellence – right here in Joondalup.”

Since the Invitation Art Prize was launched in 1998, it has supported over 700 high-calibre artists working across different practices, career stages and lived experiences.

In 2025, the City increased its investment into the prize, providing a fee for artists to create a larger body of work, extended production time and gallery standards for the presentation of their final work.

The new program attracted a competitive pool of 142 entries, which were reviewed by an independent selection panel including Abdul Abdullah, Australian multi-disciplinary artist; Carly Lane, Curator Indigenous Art, Art Gallery of Western Australia; and Katherine Wilkinson, Program Director, Fremantle Biennale.

One artist will take home the prestigious $25,000 prize.

All works are available for purchase, with the winning piece joining the City’s permanent collection.

The Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery is open Thursday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

For updates and arts opportunities, sign up to the Arts in Focus eNewsletter at joondalup.wa.gov.au/enews-signup