North Coast Ceramics' Annual Award for Contemporary Ceramic Excellence.


We’re excited to announce the next chapter of our annual ceramics award, now reintroduced under a new name—SURFACE. This new title honours the tactile, expressive, and transformative nature of clay, and marks a fresh direction for the award as it evolves into a consistent and recognisable national platform.

With this reimagining, SURFACE steps away from the constraints of a yearly theme, opening the door to greater artistic freedom. The award is now open to all ceramic artists and sculptors residing in Australia, welcoming a broader community of makers to showcase the richness and diversity of contemporary ceramic practice.

Whether you're emerging or established, we invite you to engage, experiment, and contribute to this dynamic exhibition celebrating the enduring art of clay.

Key Dates

  • Entries Open: Friday, 3 October 2025

  • Entries Close: Friday, 12 December 2025

  • Finalists Announced: Notified via email – Thursday, 2 January 2026

  • Exhibition Opening Night: Friday, 24 January 2026

  • Exhibition Ends: Friday, 7 February 2026

  • Delivery of Work: Thursday, 23 January 2026 (between 10am – 4pm)

  • Collection of Unsold Work: Saturday, 8 February 2026 (between 10am – 4pm)

Entry Requirements

  • Open to all ceramicists and sculptors living in Australia

  • Submitted works must be at least 70% ceramic

  • Maximum dimensions: 900mm, maximum weight: 10kg

  • Submit an artist's statement and details of your work

  • Include 3 JPEG images (max. 1MB each) showing front, side, and back views

  • Multiple entries welcome (submit one entry form per work)

  • Entry Fee: $40 per work

SURFACE Award 2026

Photo credit Nicc Parry-Jones

Additional Information

  • Finalists' works will be exhibited at Mullumbimby Civic Hall, NSW

  • Local finalist artists are expected to contribute to gallery staffing during the exhibition

  • NCC takes all care but no responsibility for works while on display

  • A 25% commission applies to all sales during the exhibition

  • Finalists will be notified by email

  • All unsold works must be collected in person on the date specified above

More details, including how to enter, prize information, and judging panel, will be announced soon. Stay tuned.

North Coast Ceramics thanks the following sponsors of the 2025 NCC Inaugural Ceramic Award.