The winners of the Junior Portrait Award 2026 of Rust-en-Vrede Gallery and Clay Museum were recently announced on 13 June during an awards event at the gallery in Durbanville.

The artwork titled “Maked Me Pretty” in coloured pencil on brown paper by 18-year-old Weliswa Mdluli from Uplands College in Mpumalanga stole the limelight and was announced as the winner.

Second is Allegra du Randt (18) from Thomas More College in KwaZulu-Natal with her work “If He Could” in acrylic and pencil crayon on paper.

The third-place winner is Kenah Seba (17) from Reddam House Durbanville with her painting titled “Assessing the Damages” in oil on brown paper.

The winner of the Artwire Merit Award is Luché van Jaarsveld (16) from Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool in Gauteng. Her work “Kaleidoscope of Becoming” was done in mixed media on paper.

All the works can be viewed at the gallery until Saturday 11 July.

Extension of Portrait Award

The Junior Portrait Award was launched in 2023 by the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery as an extension of the Portrait Award, specifically for high school learners between the ages of 16 and 18.

The Portrait Award is a national competition open to South African artists aged 18 and older.

“Over the years, the Rust-en-Vrede team received numerous enquiries from younger artists interested in participating. In response, the Junior Portrait was created to provide a platform specifically for high school learners between the ages of 16 and 18,” said Kelisha Persotham, project manager of the Junior Portrait Award.

“What began as a local initiative for schools in the area has since grown into a national competition. Now in its second year, the Junior Portrait continues to grow and aims to reach even more entries while connecting with a wider community of young artistic talent across South Africa,” she said.

More than double the entries

“This year, 232 entries came in from across South Africa — more than double the number received in 2024. By offering online submissions and removing the entry fee, I hoped to create a welcoming and inclusive space for these local young artists from all diverse backgrounds.

“This year’s finalist selection reflects the remarkable range of talent, technique and perspective among South Africa’s young artists.

“Each portrait offers a glimpse into how its young creator sees the world, and what they chose to capture about their subject,” Persotham said.

Work is valuable

“I want to reinforce the idea that young artists’ work is valuable and deserves to be recognised, appreciated, supported and developed. One of the key benefits of entering is the opportunity to have their work exhibited in a professional gallery setting, where it can be seen by other artists and members of the arts community,” she said.

For the 2026 Junior Portrait, the top three winners will receive art vouchers redeemable at their local PNA.

“Art supplies can be a barrier for many artists, and thus this prize hopes to empower the students by allowing them to purchase their preferred art materials or explore new media outside their comfort zone. I hope this encourages them to keep creating and helps further nurture their artistic voice and growth,” Persotham said.

Judging panel

“We would like to thank our judging panel consisting of contemporary artist and educator J.C. Bolke, Carine Nepgen-Louw from the Nepgen School of Art and Artwire’s Yolandé Snyders for their time and expertise during the adjudication process,” she said.

To acquire a work, contact the gallery on 068 457 8589 or gallery@rust-en-vrede.com.