High school student wins 2025 Luminance Young Artist Award
Luke Baker, Little Bay, acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 51cm.
A Port Macquarie high school student Luke Baker (St Columba Anglican School) has won the 2025 Luminance Young Artist Award for his painting of Little Bay and the iconic Port Macquarie lighthouse.
The Luminance Young Artist Award is a regional arts initiative for young and emerging artists from the New South Wales Mid North Coast.
Earlier this year, Luminance Gallery in Port Macquarie invited young and emerging artists to put their best art forward. From more than 50 entries, 23 were shortlisted for exhibition. Eligibility was open to young artists aged 15 - 25; and emerging artists aged 25 and up.
Exhibition judges Wendy Stokes and Stephen Killick, both of whom have artwork in the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of NSW, assessed the shortlisted works and chose the best in show.
The judges selected 16-year-old Luke Baker’s painting as the best entry in the young artist category, saying it was an authentic work, demonstrating clarity and commitment to a moment in time, inviting viewers to slow down, stay true-to-self.
Luke earned himself a gift voucher for art materials from local business Alice’s Art Craft and Paper Supplies; and tuition from artist Vivianne Hazenveld, who organised the recent Hastings Art Trail. Luke also received an invitation to exhibit again at Luminance Gallery, in the December 2025 exhibition, “Joy”.
Says Luke: “This artwork captures Little Bay, a beach beside the steadfast Port Macquarie lighthouse, a place special to me throughout my childhood, a place where I felt peace with my friends, myself or my camera.
“My artwork depicts the beauty of coastal life; its power and yet its peace.
“I intended to evoke a sense of reflection, blending natural elements with human presence. The lighthouse represents hope and safety, while the calm waves and sandy shore invite the viewer to pause and breathe.”
In the Emerging Artist category, judges selected a luminous painting by South West Rocks resident Norma Flint.
Wendy Stokes and Stephen Killick said they chose Norma’s painting, Banksia, because of its outstanding clarity, strength of composition and its commitment.
Full list of award winners:
Luminance 2025 Young Artist Award: Luke Baker, Little Bay.
Luminance 2025 Emerging Artist Award: Norma Flint, Banksia.
Luminance Highly Commended Young Artist: Zen Steep, Offshore.
Luminance Highly Commended Emerging Artist: Anne de Nooijer, A Passionate Sadness.
Luminance People’s Choice Award: Veronika Pollock, Tell Us Another Story.
Local businesses The Seed Art School and Alice’s Art Craft and Paper Supplies donated materials and gift vouchers as prizes; and artist/tutor Vivianne Hazenveld donated a gift voucher for tuition. Luminance Gallery invited Luke Baker to exhibit again, as part of the December exhibition, “Joy”. The gallery also invited Norma Flint to exhibit again, as part of the 2026 exhibition, “Coastal Fringe”.
The Young & Emerging Artists Exhibition is at Luminance Gallery, 2/26 Clarence Street Port Macquarie, until 21 August 2025.
