Young artist captures local landscape and wins major award

A QUIET corner of Hawks Nest has helped earn young artist Sunny Allen a major regional art award.

Sunny was recently named one of the winners of the 2026 Young Dobell Art Competition for her landscape artwork, ‘Moira Park’, which shone the brightest out of more than 400 entries submitted by artists aged between five and 18 from across the Hunter, Central Coast and Lake Macquarie regions.

Presented during the exhibition opening at the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang (MAC yapang) in Booragul, the award recognises emerging artistic talent and celebrates the legacy of renowned Australian artist Sir William Dobell.

For Sunny, the inspiration behind her winning artwork came from a place that holds special childhood memories.

“It’s a fun park to play in and it’s where my sister and I watch the boats go by,” she said.

The artwork captures not only the landscape itself but also the personal connection many young people develop with places close to home.

Sunny said she felt both excited and proud when she learned she had won the competition.

“The first person I told was my best friend Lillijana about winning and that I was going to be on the news,” she said.

The competition was judged by acclaimed Newcastle artist Michael Bell, who praised the high standard of entries and the creativity shown by young artists across the region.

Sunny’s passion for art continues to grow through learning from books, online tutorials and the natural beauty around her.

“I usually like to get my style from YouTube and books because that’s where I learn new things,” she said. “I like to draw our town, it’s so beautiful.”

The award may be an early milestone, however Sunny is already looking ahead to her next challenge – creating a beach painting for the Seafarers Art Exhibition, where she hopes her artistic journey will continue.