40th Anniversary
of the Mandorla Art Award
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Mandorla Art Award, The Mandorla Gallery was officially opened at the Old Trading Post in New Norcia - Australia’s only monastic town - on Saturday 11 October 2025.
The Mandorla Art Award is Australia’s most significant thematic Christian art prize, attracting some of the country’s finest artists since its inception in 1985. Held every two years, the contemporary fine art award invites artists of every faith and none to submit works in conversation with a biblical text. This makes it particularly relevant for our time, as ‘How did we get here?’ is a reasonable response to the state of the world, and the Award offers a profound way to reflect upon the origins - and promise - of Western civilization in the teachings and theology of Jesus and the Christian church.
The Mandorla Gallery was officially opened on Saturday 11 October as part of the celebrations of the 40th Anniversary of the Award. Held within the Old Trading Post in New Norcia, Australia’s only monastic town, the Gallery hosts every winning work from the Art Award since 1985.
The New Norcia Benedictine Community has always had a strong relationship with the Mandorla Art Award, so it was fitting that Abbot and Patron of the Award, Fr John Herbert OSB, welcomed nearly 100 attendees into the gallery, with Chairperson Dr Angela McCarthy cutting the official ribbon.
Fr John led the blessing of the gallery space, assisted by Committee members
The Revd Ros Fairless and Mary Casotti. Committee member Dr Tania Watson provided an acknowledgement of country, and Dr McCarthy spoke on the history of the Award and its ongoing wish to support artists throughout Australia in expressing the chosen biblical text, and to contribute to the cultural life of Australia.
Highlighting the rich history of both the Award and the site, attendees included Connie Edwards - a member of the founding Committee over 40 years ago - three previous Mandorla winners, two former curators, and members of the Lanigan family, who historically ran the Old Trading Post as Lanigan’s Store. Stories were shared: the life-changing impact of winning an award, the sacrifice of being a professional artist, and the sadness of absent friends. Sorely missed were former Mandorla Committee members The Revd John Ward (1962-2024) and The Revd Emily Bowser (1979-2025) from the Anglican Diocese of Perth, both of whom were artists in their own right and regular visitors to New Norcia.
Patrons in attendance included Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, The University of Notre Dame Vice-Chancellor Professor Francis Campbell, and CEO of Midland Hospital Paul Dyer, representing major sponsor St John of God Health Care. Faithful Patrons Moderator, The Revd David Jackson and Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy AO DD were sadly unable to attend.
Following the blessing and opening of the gallery, current curator Erin Coates interviewed Helen Seiver, the inaugural recipient of the Artist’s Residency Award. Helen lived and worked in the Old Trading Post for four weeks, incorporating found objects and the blue twine commonly used on local farms into her work, and generously sharing her time with visitors and retreatants from the Mandorla Art Award’s biennial artist retreat.
In the lead up to the 2026 Art Award, the Mandorla Gallery will continue to serve as an inspiration for artists and visitors to the New Norcia Benedictine Community. Whether you love Christianity, are ambivalent about it or far worse, it is well worth a trip to see 40 years of award-winning art celebrating faith, humanity, and the creative impulse.
Fr John Herbert OSB welcoming the guests
Dr Angela McCarthy cutting the ribbon
Dr Angela McCarthy speaking to artists on retreat, The Mandorla Gallery (artwork: Paul Kaptein, Untitled; Winner 2014)
Patrons Fr John Herbert (Abbot of New Norcia Monastery), Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Vice Chancellor of Notre Dame, Professor Francis Campbell with Chairperson of the Mandorla Art Award Committee, Dr Angela McCarthy.
Mandorla Artists’ Retreat participants and Artist-in-Residence Helen Seiver in a creative workshop
Historical note referring to when the Old Trading Post was Lanigan’s Store.
The Gallery is open twice daily when tour groups are in operation. Contact Carmel to confirm your visit: (08) 9654 8056 or info@newnorcia.com.au
The 2026 Art Award is now open for submissions until 18 February 2026. The text and theme are: What is truth? ‘I was afraid, because I was naked: and I hid myself’ (Genesis 3:10). Visit https://mandorlaart.com/ for details about submissions, prizes and sponsorship.