THE FACTORY ART PRIZE 2026

HOPELESSNESS HOPEFUL HOPE

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.” – Psalm 42:11

Call for entries 2026

The Factory Art Prize is a curated open art prize that invites local artists to think laterally and with sensitivity and engage with the theme “Hopelessness, Hopeful, Hope” by interpreting this in two or three dimensional works. The 2026 prize is currently open for entries.

Register now

Join us for Opening Night

28th March, 7-9pm, The Factory 28 Lawson Rd
First Prize and Student Prizes will be awarded

Theme Commentary

We live in a world that is lacking in hope. When we look to the future, technology promises innovation and change, but we have learned to be sceptical about whether it will make the world a better place. We are unsure of the world that we are passing on to our children. And when we consider our own personal futures, who knows what's in store?

Christians have often been regarded as ridiculously hopeful. The Christian message is a message of promise. It is unique in its certainty and scope. In the Bible, hope does not mean wishful thinking but rather confident expectation. It is grounded on the fact that God has spoken promises and begun to keep them through sending his Son as a sacrifice for sin, then raising him from the dead. On that basis, Christians set their sights on a horizon far beyond this life to a renewed world and a life that is fully restored without sin and evil.

In describing the Christian experience of knowing God's promises and how Christ has gone ahead, the Bible says, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). Our hope is not ridiculous; it is rational, wonderful and much-needed in our world!

– Steve Young, Senior Minister

The 2024 Factory Art Prize

The Factory Art Prize 2024 exhibited artwork from local artists engaging with the theme “Forgiveness, Forgiven, Forgive.”

After two successful years of the Factory Art Prize in 2023 and 2024, we’re delighted to be hosting the Factory Art Prize again in 2026.

Winning and Highly Commended Artworks | 2024

Forgiveness Exposed Alison Robinson (First prize 2024) | Seeing the light Robyn Collier (People’s choice 2024) | Christ’s Death Leads to Our Forgiveness Richard Cutler (Highly commended) | Read this book if you want to know who has forgiven you and why it is important Miriam Roediger (Highly commended) | A Chance Encounter Andrea Andrejas (Highly commended) | Lavare (to wash) Claire Amelia Nicholls (Student first prize 2024)