Clutha Youth Art Competition

29/09/2026

Deadline extension till the 18th October
So you have the school holidays to explore your creativity!

14/09/2026

We are so excited to see this year's entries! Are you working on a landscape inspired by the Clutha District?
Entries have been extended to the 16th OCTOBER!!!!
There are BIG cash prizes!!!!! So get in touch and make it happen!!!

This weekend is the final for the show in Lawrence, from 1st August the show will be on show at Te Pou Ō Mata-Au - Clutha District War Memorial & Community Centre.
So don't miss out! We are open 11am - 3pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Bring the whanau and vote for your $500 Hunt Road Forestry People's Choice award.

This stunning work is by a currently local artist, Jayda Smither.

Jayda Smither
20 years
Lawrence.

" The Sea, Salt and Her"
Oil on Canvas
NFS

The judging panel was charmed by this dreamy, almost surreal work. The artist perfectly captured an emotion that is both introspective and outward-looking.

"Brighton Beach in Dunedin has always held deep significance for me. It’s that feeling of lying in the sand, watching the colours of the sky shift, and just being fully present. I think about the memories layered into that place — from being a kid building sandcastles to growing older and having deep conversations as the sun sets. It’s a space that feels timeless, like you have all the time in the world to just be. This is my first oil painting on canvas. My process involves layering paint over paint — the starting point is usually nothing like the final result. I let the piece evolve as I work, guided by memory and feeling" _ Jayda Smither

06/09/2026

Entries are coming in and we are so excited. We have decided to extend the deadline till FRIDAY the 16th OCTOBER

Send a message to learn more

23/08/2026

Don’t forget ! Now’s the time to get started !!!! Entries due in 1st October !!!!!

06/08/2026

🎨 The Countdown is On! 8 Weeks! Can you accept the Challenge?

Whether you love to paint, draw, sculpt, photograph, print, or create something completely unique, we'd love to see your work.

🌟 **Entries close: Thursday 1 October 2026**

This is your chance to:
🖌️ Share your creativity
🏆 Be in the running for fantastic prizes
🎉 Have your work exhibited alongside other talented young artists from across the Clutha District

Don't leave it until the last minute—start creating now and get your entry ready!

Tag a young artist who should enter! 💛


Artwork in this video is by Lawrence-based artist 2026 Award winner _ Elliot Sedgeman

08/07/2026

New digital entries!

The Clutha Youth Art Competition isn't just about the finished artwork—we'd love to see how you got there.

Did you sketch ideas first? Experiment with materials? Change direction halfway through? Capture it! Photos, short videos, sketches, and time-lapses all help tell the story behind your creativity.

Today we're sharing a wonderful glimpse into the creative process of Evans Flat based artist Rivka Oldenhuis. Thank you, Rivka, for letting us see the work, experimentation, and imagination that goes into creating something special.

If you're entering this year's competition, consider documenting your own artistic journey. Your process is just as inspiring as the finished piece, and we'd love to celebrate it by sharing it on our page (with your permission).

Keep creating—we can't wait to see what our talented young artists make! ✨

01/07/2026

16/06/2026

We are back for 2026!📣 Watch this space! 😍 New Categories! New Sponsors! 🩷❤️🧡💛💚 New Prizes! 🏆 No entry fee for 8-16-year-olds! Thanks to @100% Johnstone Electrical Balclutha! Cash Prizes! Entries will close on 1st October 2026! This year, we will be accepting digital art entries with proof of production! More details to come! Open to youth living in, from, or with close ties to the Clutha District Boundry! 🎨