SA art stars join judging panel for inaugural Chapel Hill Horizons Art Prize

2 May 2025
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$5,000 prize for the winning South Australian artist

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Artworks can be submitted until 14th July 2025

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McLaren Vale winery Chapel Hill has announced the judges for its inaugural Horizons Art Prize. The $5,000 acquisitive art prize invites artists to interpret the local landscape and show their vision for its future. South Australian artists can submit their entries from now until 14 July 2025.

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The judging panel includes three notable local names that together span both art and wine. Adele Sliuzas, Visual Arts Curator at The Mill Adelaide, will bring their deep understanding of contemporary South Australian art practice and background in both curating and arts writing to the panel.Joining Adele is Maria Zagala, a highly respected curator of prints, drawings and photographs at the Art Gallery of South Australia. With over 15 years at AGSA and acuratorial focus on both historical and contemporary works, Maria brings a wealth of experience, skill and knowledge to the panel.

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Rounding out the panel is Michael Fragos, Chief Winemaker at Chapel Hill. Michael brings a unique perspective from the world of wine and sees strong parallels between winemaking and the visual arts. As a passionate art enthusiast, Michael has spent over two decades working in the vineyards of McLaren Vale, creating wines that reflect the character and beauty of the region.

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The panel will judge the entries based on how the artist has responded to the brief, the aesthetics, skill, and suitability of the artwork for long-term display in the chapel.

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The shortlisted works will be exhibited at Chapel Hill during this year’s South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA), with the winning piece added to the winery’s permanent collection which is displayed all year round in the iconic winery chapel. The winning artist, who will receive a $5,000 cash prize, will be announced at the exhibition opening on Sunday 3 August.

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The prize theme, "Horizons’ encourages artists to ‘explore the dual meaning of the word: both the physical line where the earth meets the sky and the symbolic concept of something that might be attained’. All artworks are asked to include a distinct horizon line to be featured in the exhibition.

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Art has long been part of Chapel Hill’s identity. Chief Winemaker Michael Fragos, who this year is celebrating his 22nd vintage at Chapel Hill, is an avid visual art enthusiast and the walls of the winery’s onsite chapel are adorned with artworks for visitors to enjoy.

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“Chapel Hill is defined by its spectacular surroundings. Every day we take inspiration from the beautiful landscape, the views back over McLaren Vale and the coast as well as the shimmering sunsets,” commented Fragos.

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“Since hosting Adelaide Festival events at the winery in the 1970's, Chapel Hill has a long and proud history supporting artists. It is so exciting to now bring together all of these elements with our inaugural Horizons Art Prize, ” continued Fragos.

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SALA Festival CEO, Bridget Alfred commented, “We are thrilled to include the inaugural “Horizons Art Prize” exhibition in the 2025 SALA Festival, and welcome Chapel Hill Wines’ championing of South Australian artists and our fabulous SA culture. We encourage all eligible artists to enter and look forward to seeing the finalists in August!”

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Key details:

• South Australian residents aged 18 years and older are invited to enter Entries close on 14 July 2025.
• Entries are to be submitted electronically via the mechanism below.
• Artworks must respond to the concept of “Horizon: the line where the earth meets the sky or something that might be attained. Celebrating the McLaren Vale landscape and vision for its future”
• Artworks must feature a distinct ‘horizon’ (horizontal) line
• Artworks must be 2-dimensional, capable of being hung in a gallery, including, but not limited to, the mediums of painting, drawing, photography, mixed media or print (edition limits apply for all print media)
• The shortlist of finalists will be announced on the 18th July
• Short-listed artworks will be exhibited at Chapel Hill Wines, McLaren Vale from 3 August to 6 September 2025
• The winning artist will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize and the artwork will be added to the Chapel Hill Wines permanent collection
• Short-listed artworks exhibited (other than the winner) may be offered for sale on consignment throughout the exhibition
• Entrants should read the full terms and conditions prior to entry

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For more details and to submit your works, please visit www.chapelhillwine.com.au/horizons-art-prize/

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About the judges:

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Adele Sliuzas

Adele Sliuzas is an arts writer, curator, and emerging textile artist based in Kaurna Yarta/Adelaide. As the Visual Arts Curator at The Mill, Adele leads the Visual Arts program and works closely with the local artist community. They were the Writer Coordinator for Neoterica 2024 and have previously held the role of Assistant Curator at JamFactory. Adele’s writing has appeared in arts publications such as Artlink, Fine Print, Runway, Art and Australia, and Un. Since 2022, Adele has expanded their practice to include textile art, using materials to explore family history and the poetics of ‘Australian’ space. Their weaving, referencing traditional Lithuanian motifs, delves into themes of identity and family. In 2024, Adele's solo exhibition Catchment received nominations for two SALA awards, and their work Flows that Trouble Me was a finalist in the Heysen Prize. In 2025, they will present a solo exhibition titled All the Fires that Burn at the Pod Gallery.

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Maria Zagala

Maria Zagala is Curator of Prints, Drawings & Photographs at the Art Gallery of South Australia, where she has worked since 2006. From 1996 to 2006, she was Assistant Curator of Prints & Drawings at the National Gallery of Victoria. Maria completed her Master of Fine Arts at La Trobe University. She has curated numerous on historical and contemporary art including A Beautiful Life: Italian prints from Mantegna to Piranesi (2010), Tracey Moffatt: Narratives (with Stephen Zagala, 2011), Trent Parke: the Black Rose (with Julie Robinson, 2015) and Brent Harris: Surrender & Catch (2023-24). She was the editor of the monograph Ian North: art/work/words (2019). From 2006 to 2019, she was Affiliate Lecturer in the Art History Program, School of History & Politics at the University of Adelaide. She has served on the boards of the Australian Experimental Art Foundation (2009-2012), Artlink (2011), and The Nora Heysen Foundation (2022- continuing).

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Michael Fragos

After 22 vintages on the tools, Chief Winemaker, Michael Fragos knows every vine and every stone that makes up Chapel Hill. Unsurprisingly, Michael’s keen eye for detail has earned him a reputation for crafting wines of exceptional quality. Michael is one of only three winemakers to have been crowned McLaren Vale’s Bushing Monarch three times: in 1997 and 1999 and with Chapel Hill in 2010. His affable manner has remained unaffected by critical acclaim and success. Michael’s connection to his team and network of long-term growers reflects the importance of community in regions like McLaren Vale. In his spare time, Michael loves to spin some vinyl. His love for music has amassed (at current count) 1594 records!

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For more information about Chapel Hill, please visit:

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www.chapelhillwine.com.au

@chapelhillwine

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For more information, product or media images, or interview requests please contact Blend Public Relations:

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Livi Hosking | Blend Public Relations | ph: 0426 295 529 | [email protected]

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