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Bentley Art Prize celebrates 40th anniversary this weekend

The Lismore App

30 July 2025, 9:00 PM

Bentley Art Prize celebrates 40th anniversary this weekendBentley Art Prize crowd 2024. Photo: Facebook

The Bentley Art Prize will celebrate its 40th Anniversary this weekend (August 2 & 3). The popular annual event was initiated by Reg and Phyllis Hartley in 1985 and has always been supported by a dedicated cohort of volunteers. 


Reg and Phyllis were the mainstays of the show until 2005, when Helen Trustum became the coordinator.



Helen remained in that position for 18 years. On her retirement in 2023, a new team stepped up. 


Speaking for the team, one of the principal volunteers, Wendy Harris, said: “We are all really excited to reach this anniversary milestone.


"We’re keen to acknowledge the rich 40-year history of the Bentley Art Prize (BAP) and its continuing value to the community. We’re also looking forward to once again celebrating the prolific artists and generous sponsors who make the show so popular.”



The BAP opens on Friday (August 1), with wine and nibbles from 7pm - 9pm, and finishes at 2pm on Sunday, August 3.


On Saturday and Sunday, a host of market stalls will join the art exhibition featuring handmade goods such as jewellery, cow and kangaroo hide items, dog collars and leads, botanical print products, crafted wood, acid-washed t-shirts and children’s clothes and candles. In addition, there’ll be a variety of food stalls, along with cakes and jams to take home.



Plus, there will be live entertainment all weekend:

  • Friday, August 1: Yolan 7pm - 9pm
  • Saturday, August 2: Luke Vasella, 9am - 12pm, Sylvia Nowlan, 2.30 - 5pm 
  • Sunday, August 3: JamieSullivan, 9.45am - 12pm


Wendy and the volunteer team at BAP would love your support to help them celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Bentley Art Prize.


The Bentley Public Hall is a short 20-minute drive from Lismore at 2150 Bentley Road, Bentley.



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