The 29th South Australian Living Artists Festival has drawn to a close after a month-long celebration of visual art across the state. The 2026 SALA Awards were announced at The Meeting Hall, recognising outstanding artists from emerging practitioners through to established names.
This year’s festival saw more than 11,000 artists participate in over 700 exhibitions across Adelaide and regional South Australia, reinforcing SALA’s position as one of the country’s most inclusive celebrations of visual art.
SALA Festival CEO Bridget Alfred said the 2026 festival had been a spectacular celebration of South Australian artists, audiences and community.
“The quality and breadth of work across the state has been a joy to experience, and the strength of community activations and participation has reminded us, again and again, of the power of art to bring people together to exchange, connect, and celebrate,” she said.
“We are already making plans, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027 for SALA’s 30th Festival year.”
The award winners
Stephen Soeffky took home two awards: the City of Adelaide Award ($5,000) for his exhibition Working Together, and the City Rural Emerging Artist Award ($2,500). He will participate in a public program with the City of Adelaide in 2027.
Coco Siu won The Advertiser Contemporary Art Award ($5,000) for her sculpture Ways of Staying, recognised as the most outstanding work in any medium at SALA 2026.
Chris Boha received the Inspiring SA Science in Art Award ($2,500) for Remains of a Future Past, recognising work that engages with science, technology, engineering, maths or medicine.
Anthea Jones won the City of Unley Active Ageing Award ($2,000) for her work in the exhibition Living The Dream Studio. The award, for artists over 60, includes an exhibition space in Unley for SALA 2027.
Bianca Joanna Buliga took out the Don Dunstan Foundation Award ($2,000) for her exhibition Healing Out Loud, which engages with the Foundation’s values including homelessness, climate justice, Aboriginal empowerment and reconciliation.
The Whittles Body Corporate Management Services Venue Awards ($2,000 each) went to Mallee Spirit Distillery in Lameroo and South Henley Newsagency and Post Office, recognising venues that exceeded expectations in supporting artists.
Zoe Crichton received the Guildhouse Artist’s Choice Award ($1,500 and a 12-month Guildhouse Accredited Membership), voted by fellow artists as the finalist whose work impressed them most.
Chin Ton Naomi Tang won the new Carclew Early-Career Artist Studio Award ($1,000 and a studio residency at Carclew in early 2027).
Sally Parnis took out the SALA In Lights Award, which includes an after-dark projection on a prominent CBD wall during SALA 2027 (valued at $10,000 with support from Novatech), $2,500 from Foodland, and $2,500 loaded onto a Foodland in-store credit card, with her work displayed in Foodland stores across South Australia during SALA 2027.
Bryce Kraehenbuehl, recipient of the SALA SOLO Photography Opportunity, presented his solo exhibition Red Earth at Praxis Artspace with support from Atkins Lab, the Centre for Creative Photography and Praxis Artspace.
Looking ahead to 2027
Robe textile artist Kristi Biezaite has been selected as recipient of the Country Arts SA Breaking Ground Award, with an exhibition outcome at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery during SALA Festival 2027.
Jane Bowden has been announced as the featured artist for the 2027 SALA Festival and the focus of the 2027 Australian Living Artists Publication. An established South Australian artist, Jane has helped shape contemporary jewellery for more than 35 years. Her practice is grounded in material exploration, conceptual inquiry and community engagement, investigating how traditional craft and textile techniques can be adapted to metalsmithing. As co-founder of Zu design, jewellery + objects in Adelaide, she has supported independent makers and strengthened South Australia’s creative landscape.
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