2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge | Announcement of the Finalists and Prize Recipients
Image | Kathryn Wardill, Contemporary Craft + Design Prize Recipients Response to the Prompt Spark | Photograph supplied
The 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge celebrates Canberra as a vibrant centre of creativity while connecting a wider community of makers across Australia and beyond.
Each July, creatives from around the world respond to a series of daily word prompts, sharing new work via Instagram. Working across ceramics, textiles, photography and mixed media, participants embrace experimentation, process and connection through creativity.
Now in its fifth year, the 2026 theme Dissent advocates for creativity as a powerful tool for questioning, challenging, and reshaping ourselves and the world around us.
Over the three week challenge, participants generated thousands of artworks and posts. The result is a diverse and series work that reflects the energy, imagination and collective spirit of the Challenge.
To explore the participants' creations, visit #CDCCREATIVECHALLENGE26 on Instagram.
Since the Challenge finished on 21 July, participants have submitted their responses for judging. Today, Craft + Design Canberra is proud to announce the 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge Finalists and Award Recipients.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge. Congratulations to everyone who signed up, posted a response, completed the Challenge, and to the finalists and prize recipients.
The 2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge Exhibition will be on display at Craft + Design Canberra from 24 September to 24 October 2026. All are welcome to join us for the opening of the Exhibition on Thursday 24 September from 6pm to celebrate.
2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge Finalists
Alison Cone | @seaflowerspins
Cam Michael | @cammichaelart
Carol Cooke | @cookeart
Caroline McCarthy | @cmcdfat
Cathrine Stephenson | @creative_chickadee
Francis Jaye Johnson | @francis.jaye
Freya Robinson | @freya.h.r
Henry Shawcross | @hgws77
Imogen Keen | @side_seam
Julia Raath | @juliaraath
Karina Hincksman | @_sow_and_yield_studio_
Kathryn Wardill | @Kathrynwardill
Kirstie Page | @rememberwhenart
Lisa Jose | @lisajose_printmaker
Megan Munro | @meganmunro1968
Paul Murray | @paul.murray.art
Rhiannon Sothern | @rhiannon.sothern
Rosalie Rose | @rosalie_rose__
Sally Black | @sallyblacktravellingscribbler
Sue Peachey | @riversedgeceramics
Susan Buret | @sburetblackhousestudio
Tanya da Silva | @tanyadasilvastudio
Taryn Powick | @taryn.p.ceramics
Tess Barker | @tess.print.repeat
2026 Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge Prize Recipients
Contemporary Craft + Design Prize | $4,000
Kathryn Wardill | @Kathrynwardill
Experimental Process and Practice Prize | $4,000
Cam Michael | @cammichaelart
Student Prize | $500
Tanya da Silva | @tanyadasilvastudio
Meet the 2026 Judges
Nancy Bennison, Director Ainslie+Gorman Art Centres | Chief Executive Officer, Arts Capital Limited
Nancy Bennison is the Director of Ainslie+Gorman and CEO of Arts Capital. With a rich and diverse career spanning continents and industries, Nancy brings a has built a reputation as a dynamic leader, strategic thinker and passionate advocate for the arts. She has held executive leadership roles at the National Film and Sound Archive and the Australian National Maritime Museum, where she secured significant federal investment and led major organisational reform initiatives. Nancy is passionate about developing Canberra’s local talent and is a Board member of Music ACT and the Canberra Writers Festival. Nancy has a deep appreciation for the arts in all their forms. Known for her energy, collaborative approach and commitment to the sector, Nancy is driven by a belief that arts and culture are not a luxury but an essential part of a healthy, connected and resilient society.
Jessi England, CEO & Artistic Director, Canberra Potters | Watson Arts Centre
Jessi is an arts leader with over 25 years' experience across the arts, cultural and creative industries sectors, spanning not-for-profit, local and federal government and independent consulting roles. She has held leadership roles at the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (VIC), and was the Director of the award-winning Newcastle contemporary art space, The Lock-Up, before relocating to Canberra. Her diverse experience includes strategic development, cultural curation and production, business management, marketing and communications, sponsorship and philanthropic development.
Jodie Cunningham, CEO + Artistic Director, Craft + Design Canberra
Jodie Cunningham is CEO and Artistic Director of Craft + Design Canberra. Jodie is a Canberra based visual artist and maker of objects and jewellery. She has an MFA, UNSW; BFA with University Medal, ANU and was the recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship for the Visual Arts.