One of New Zealand’s most significant and anticipated art prizes is about to show in Queenstown for the first time.

Next Friday, The Adam Portraiture Award 2026 opens at Remarkables Park’s Te Atamira, which features works by established and emerging artists from across the country.

Presented  every second year by the NZ Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, the touring exhibition will be on display until November 9.

NZ Portrait Gallery director Brian Wood, who will open the exhibition here, says they are “thrilled” to debut The Adam Portraiture Award in Queenstown.

“This gives people in the region the opportunity to see first-hand the quality of works selected by this year’s judge, Jude Rae.

“It also provides an opportunity for finalists from the region to see their works in their hometown and celebrate this with their friends and whānau.

Showcasing the diversity of contemporary portrait painting, 429 pieces were submitted for the 2026 edition, with just 43 finalists selected — they include a piece from Central Otago artist Marion Vialade-Worch, and the winning portrait Auckland-based artist Duncan Pepe-Long’s oil on wood, Solomon Tāmehana.

It is the 5th time Long, a teacher of life drawing and architecture drawing at Unitec, has been named a finalist for the award, which started in 2000.

Since its inception, The Adam Portraiture Award has celebrated excellence in contemporary portraiture, while creating an evolving record of Aotearoa through the people artists choose to paint — its supported by The Adam Foundation with principal partners Wellington City Council and Creative NZ, and supporting partner The Sargood Bequest.
Since 2006, each winning work has been acquired into the NZ Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection.

For the first time this year, all entries were required to be painted portraits of living New Zealanders created from at least one live sitting or direct study from life, encouraging a deeper level of observation and connection between artist and subject.

Te Atamira director Ruth Heath says they are delighted to bring an exhibition of such national significance to the Wakatipu.

“Hosting the Adam Portraiture Award reflects Te Atamira’s commitment to bringing the very best of Aotearoa’s creative talent to our region, ensuring our community has access to nationally-significant arts experiences while celebrating the talent found across the country.

“We are excited to share this exhibition with our community and visitors, and for it to form part of the rich cultural programme alongside At the World’s Edge Festival and the Queenstown Writers Festival this spring.”

Next Friday night’s official opening begins at 6.30pm

tracey.roxburgh@scene.co.nz