FOCUS TOPIC TERM 4 – Young Archie ART COMPETITION – portrait classes · Term 4 · Ages 5–18
Our Most Popular Term Topic is Back!
Your child creates a portrait of someone special in their life to
Enter the AGNSW Young Archie competition or gift as a treasured memory.
Every year the Art Gallery of New South Wales invites young artists aged 5 to 18 to enter the Young Archie, a portrait of someone special in their life. Since 2014, Sydney Art School students past and present have been selected 41 times as category winners, finalists and honourable mentions, including seven category winners.
Young Archies is the Term 4 topic in all of our kids art classes. Over nine weeks your child learns how to draw and paint a real person, someone who matters to them, and finishes the term with a portrait ready to enter.
Enrol for Term 4 See our Young Archie results
Why Term 4? It gives your child time to prepare
The Young Archie usually opens for entries in late January and closes in early March. In 2026, entry forms were open from 27 January to 2 March (5pm), and the artwork had to reach the Gallery by 6 March. The Art Gallery of NSW hasn’t announced the 2027 dates yet, so always check the official Young Archie entry page before you plan.
Running the class in Term 4 means:
- No rush. Your child has a full term to choose a subject, try ideas and make a finished portrait, without squeezing it into the first weeks of the school year.
- Summer to finish. Students take their portrait home in December and still have the summer holidays to make final touches, before entries open.
- Ready when entries open. When the Gallery opens the entry form, the hard work is done. You just complete the online form, print it, sign it and post or drop off the artwork.
Term 4 2026 classes start on Tuesday 13 October 2026 and run for nine weeks. See our term dates for the full term calendar.
The four Young Archie age groups
The Art Gallery of NSW judges entries in four age groups: 5–8, 9–12, 13–15 and 16–18 years. Each group has its own date-of-birth window, set by the Gallery each year. In 2026, for example, the 5–8 group was for children born between 3 March 2017 and 2 March 2021. Check the current windows on the Gallery’s entry page.
What your child will do in the Young Archies term
By the end of the term, each student will have a finished portrait ready to enter. Along the way they will:
- Choose their subject. A person who knows them and plays a real part in their life, which is the Young Archie theme. A parent, grandparent, sibling, friend or teacher all work.
- Work from life and from reference. The Gallery says it prefers portraits made from a live sitting. Students practise drawing from life in class, and bring their own photos of their subject to work from at home and in class.
- Learn the building blocks of a portrait. Proportions of the face, capturing a likeness, expression and gesture, and how light and shadow give form.
- Plan a composition that tells a story. Pose, setting, objects and colour that say something about the person and their relationship with the artist.
- Explore materials. Pencil, pastel, paint and mixed media on paper, matched to age and skill level.
- Finish and get it ready to enter. A completed 2D work on paper between A4 and A3, unmounted and unframed, as the competition requires, with tips on labelling and posting it safely.
Students do all of their own work. Our tutors teach, demonstrate and give feedback, but the portrait is your child’s, which is also a Young Archie entry rule.
Choose the right class
Young Archies is the Term 4 topic in all four of our kids classes, covering ages 5 to 18:
Details: 9 weeks · $370 per term · studios in Hornsby (63 Hunter St) and Baulkham Hills (9C Old Northern Road), and more · after-school and weekend classes. Days and times are on each course page: Mini Monet, Intermediate, Senior and Senior Transition. Families with eligible children may be able to use Active and Creative Kids vouchers.
Students Learn from Tertiary Qualified Art Tutors with Structured Lesson Plans
You can be confident your child is getting the highest quality visual arts coaching. All of our tutors are professional artists, tertiary qualified in visual arts, education, or both. They take each student through a structured lesson plan, with one-on-one time to adjust the guidance and feedback to that student’s skill and level.
Older students may have the opportunity to learn directly from renowned portrait artists, including finalists in the Archibald Prize and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.
Older students: Senior Transition and portrait prize artists
Term 4 Senior Transition classes are taught by Michael Simms, Matthew Weatherstone, Christina Rogers, Peter Mackie, Joseph de La Hoyde, Tim de la Hoyde, Jan Harrington-Johnson, Valeriia Sedlak, Paul Kefalas and Garrett Bailey. They include:
- Michael Simms: Archibald Prize finalist. Also a finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture.
- Matthew Weatherstone: a classically trained, professional artist with a strong record in commissions and exhibitions.
- Christina Rogers: a classically trained portrait artist. She trained at Lavender Hill Studios in London and Julian Ashton Art School, and was a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran Portrait Prize.
Students aged 15 to 18 preparing for the 16–18 category may also be able to join one of our adult portrait classes at the kids class price, so talk to us. As well as Michael Simms, our adult classes are taught by:
- Callum Worsfold: Archibald Prize finalist in 2025 with Self-portrait in the studio. A National Art School graduate who paints portraits from life.
- Jackson Davies: semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and winner of the Northern Beaches Art Prize.
- Cristina Aura: member of Portrait Artists Australia. Cristina specialises in teaching drawing and how to capture a likeness.
Places in adult classes for younger students depend on the class, so contact us or call 1300 278 252 to talk through the options.
Extra recognition for SAS students
Enrolled students whose Young Archie entries are recognised by the Gallery also receive a reward from Sydney Art School:
- Winner: an art resource kit and two terms of free kids’ art classes
- Finalist: an art resource kit and one term of free art classes
- Honourable mention: an art resource kit
41 times in the Young Archie, and counting
Since 2014, Sydney Art School students past and present have been selected 41 times in the Art Gallery of NSW Young Archie competition. That’s 31 young artists across all four age groups, with seven category wins, 22 more finalist places and 12 honourable mentions.
A few highlights:
- 2025 winner, 5–8 years: Logan Zhang, My dad. View on AGNSW
- 2020 winner, 5–8 years, and 2026 honourable mention: Gabrielle Guo. Gabrielle won with My little sister Vivienne in 2020, and six years later received an honourable mention in the 13–15 group for Vivienne. View 2020 on AGNSW · View 2026 on AGNSW
- 2022 winner, 13–15 years: Nethali Dissanayake, My grandfather. One of nine selections connected with SAS that year. View on AGNSW
- Category winners in 2019 and 2021: Callum Macgown (9–12, 2019), Matthew Chen (5–8, 2019) and Thevan Basnayake (5–8, 2021). Callum was also a finalist in 2017 with The fisherman.
- Growing with the Young Archie: Ellie Liu received an honourable mention in the 5–8 group in 2023 and was a finalist in the 9–12 group in 2026 with Mr Park in Imagination Land. Cacia Charles was a finalist in 2023 (9–12) and again in 2025 (13–15).
Your child could be next. See the full list of selections at the bottom of this page.
Enrol for Term 4
Places in each class are limited and filled in order of enrolment. Term 4 starts Tuesday 13 October 2026.
See our kids classes and enrol
Not sure which class suits your child? Call us on 1300 278 252 (1300 ART CLASS) or contact us and we’ll help you choose. You can also check our term dates.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sydney Art School enter my child’s artwork for them?
No. Entries go straight to the Art Gallery of NSW. When entries open, a parent or guardian fills in the Gallery’s online form, prints and signs it, and sends it with the artwork by post or drops it off. It’s free to enter. We’ll make sure the portrait meets the size and format rules.
My child is still in primary school. Is this too advanced for them?
Not at all. The Young Archie has a 5–8 age group, and our Mini Monet and Intermediate classes adapt the topic to younger children. Four of the seven category wins on our list have been in the 5–8 group.
My teenager is aiming for the 16–18 category. Which class should they take?
Senior Transition suits most older students. In Term 4 its tutors include Archibald Prize finalist Michael Simms and classically trained artists Matthew Weatherstone and Christina Rogers. Students aged 15 to 18 preparing for the 16–18 category may also be able to join an adult portrait class at the kids class price, so talk to us.
Can my child use a photo, or do they need a live sitting?
Both are allowed. The Gallery says it prefers portraits painted from life, but your child can also work from memory or from a photo they take themselves. In class we practise drawing from life and use students’ own reference photos.
Our students in the Young Archie, 2014–2026
Sydney Art School recognises the past and present students who have been selected as category winners, finalists and honourable mentions in the Art Gallery of NSW Young Archie competition. Not all of them were enrolled with us at the time of their selection, but we’re proud to have been part of their artistic journey.
41 selections by 31 young artists: 7 category winners, 22 further finalists and 12 honourable mentions. Each link opens the artwork on the Art Gallery of NSW website in a new tab.
- Winner
- Finalist
- Honourable mention
2026 (5)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Blunden | 16–18 | Between | Winner | View on AGNSW – Between by Lauren Blunden (opens in a new tab) |
| Ellie Liu | 9–12 | Mr Park in Imagination Land | Finalist | View on AGNSW – Mr Park in Imagination Land by Ellie Liu (opens in a new tab) |
| Jessica Liu | 16–18 | Carried forward | Finalist | View on AGNSW – Carried forward by Jessica Liu (opens in a new tab) |
| Gabrielle Guo | 13–15 | Vivienne | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – Vivienne by Gabrielle Guo (opens in a new tab) |
| Matthew Chen | 13–15 | Hands that hold our family | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – Hands that hold our family by Matthew Chen (opens in a new tab) |
2025 (4)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan Zhang | 5–8 | My dad | Winner | View on AGNSW – My dad by Logan Zhang (opens in a new tab) |
| Agata Gomina | 13–15 | My mum at my age | Finalist | View on AGNSW – My mum at my age by Agata Gomina (opens in a new tab) |
| Cacia Charles | 13–15 | Boxing Day | Finalist | View on AGNSW – Boxing Day by Cacia Charles (opens in a new tab) |
| Jessica Tai | 16–18 | Grandma with my sheep | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – Grandma with my sheep by Jessica Tai (opens in a new tab) |
2024 (4)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veronica Chen | 5–8 | My Chinese New Year’s Eve | Finalist | View on AGNSW – My Chinese New Year’s Eve by Veronica Chen (opens in a new tab) |
| Eleanor Zhang | 9–12 | My colourful mummy! | Finalist | View on AGNSW – My colourful mummy! by Eleanor Zhang (opens in a new tab) |
| Lauren Blunden | 16–18 | Growing | Finalist | View on AGNSW – Growing by Lauren Blunden (opens in a new tab) |
| Max Shao | 16–18 | Gift-giving | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – Gift-giving by Max Shao (opens in a new tab) |
2023 (5)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Yuqian Wang | 5–8 | My friend’s cat and me | Finalist | View on AGNSW – My friend’s cat and me by Emma Yuqian Wang (opens in a new tab) |
| Cacia Charles | 9–12 | 169 days | Finalist | View on AGNSW – 169 days by Cacia Charles (opens in a new tab) |
| Nicolas Marx | 13–15 | Davi | Finalist | View on AGNSW – Davi by Nicolas Marx (opens in a new tab) |
| Elaine Zhang | 16–18 | A spirited soul | Finalist | View on AGNSW – A spirited soul by Elaine Zhang (opens in a new tab) |
| Ellie Liu | 5–8 | My bestie | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – My bestie by Ellie Liu (opens in a new tab) |
2022 (9)
2021 (1)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thevan Basnayake | 5–8 | Me | Winner | View on AGNSW – Me by Thevan Basnayake (opens in a new tab) |
2020 (3)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabrielle Guo | 5–8 | My little sister Vivienne | Winner | View on AGNSW – My little sister Vivienne by Gabrielle Guo (opens in a new tab) |
| Jerry Chen | 9–12 | My dad | Finalist | View on AGNSW – My dad by Jerry Chen (opens in a new tab) |
| Matthew Chen | 9–12 | My beloved grandma, a warrior against the evil coronavirus | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – My beloved grandma, a warrior against the evil coronavirus by Matthew Chen (opens in a new tab) |
2019 (3)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Chen | 5–8 | My super daddy | Winner | View on AGNSW – My super daddy by Matthew Chen (opens in a new tab) |
| Callum Macgown | 9–12 | Grandpa’s eyebrows | Winner | View on AGNSW – Grandpa’s eyebrows by Callum Macgown (opens in a new tab) |
| Alannah Haskins | 5–8 | My little brother | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – My little brother by Alannah Haskins (opens in a new tab) |
2017 (3)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Chen | 5–8 | A kindy boy who loves nature | Finalist | View on AGNSW – A kindy boy who loves nature by Matthew Chen (opens in a new tab) |
| Callum Macgown | 9–12 | The fisherman | Finalist | View on AGNSW – The fisherman by Callum Macgown (opens in a new tab) |
| Lucy Lu | 9–12 | My best friend | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – My best friend by Lucy Lu (opens in a new tab) |
2016 (1)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Chen | 5–8 | Untitled | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – Untitled by Matthew Chen (opens in a new tab) |
2015 (1)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Y Liu | 5–8 | Untitled | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – Untitled by Eric Y Liu (opens in a new tab) |
2014 (2)
| Student | Age group | Artwork | Result | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elise Beldoza | 9–12 | Untitled | Finalist | View on AGNSW – Untitled by Elise Beldoza (opens in a new tab) |
| Xanthe Martin | 5–8 | Untitled | Honourable mention | View on AGNSW – Untitled by Xanthe Martin (opens in a new tab) |
Artwork titles, age groups and results are as published by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Artworks remain the copyright of the young artists. Young Archie is a competition of the Art Gallery of New South Wales; Sydney Art School is not affiliated with the Art Gallery.
Young Archie is a competition of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Sydney Art School is not affiliated with the Art Gallery. Dates and rules are set by the Gallery; check the official Young Archie pages for current details.
Kids class timetable
Art classes for kids are available in studios in Hornsby, Baulkham Hills & Epping.
Each term the classes start on the same starting week as NSW Public School Term dates
Classes run for 9 consecutive weeks.
(For classes that fall on a NSW public holidays an additional week will be added to ensure that students receive a total of 9 classes)
| Recommended Age Group Suitability | |||
| Mini Monet | Intermediate | Senior | Senior Transition |
| 5-7 | 8-10 | 11-13 | 13+ |
| Term 3 – 2025 | Level | Baulkham Hills |
Epping | Hornsby |
| Mondays
|
Mini Monet | 4:30 – 6:00pm 6:00 – 7:30pm |
4.00 – 5.30pm | 4.30 – 6pm |
| Intermediate | 4:30 – 6:00pm | 4.00 – 5.30pm | 4.30 – 6pm | |
| Senior | 4.00 – 5.30pm | |||
| Senior Transition | ||||
| Tuesdays
|
Mini Monet | 4.30 – 6pm | 4.30 – 6pm | |
| Intermediate | 4.30 – 6pm | |||
| Senior | 5.00 – 6.30pm | 4.30 – 6pm | ||
| Senior Transition | 5.00 – 6.30pm 6.30 – 8.00pm |
5.00 – 6.30pm | ||
| Wednesdays | Mini Monet | 5.30 – 7.00pm | 4.00 – 5.30pm | 4.30 – 6pm |
| Intermediate | 4.00 – 5.30pm | 4.30 – 6pm | ||
| Senior | 4.00 – 5.30pm | 4.30 – 6pm | ||
| Senior Transition | 5:00 – 6:30pm | |||
| Senior & Senior Transition |
5.00pm – 6.30pm (Anime & Manga Skills) |
|||
| Thursdays | Mini Monet | 4.00 – 5:30pm | 4.30 – 6pm | |
| Intermediate | 4:00 – 5:30pm | 4.30 – 6pm | ||
| Senior | 5:30 – 7:00pm | 4.30 – 6pm | ||
| Senior Transition | 5.30 – 7:00pm | 6.30 – 8pm | ||
| Fridays | Mini Monet | 4.00 – 5.30pm
5.30 – 7:00pm |
5.30 – 7pm | |
| Intermediate | 4.00 – 5.30pm
5.30 – 7:00pm |
|||
| Senior | ||||
| Saturdays | Mini Monet |
9.00 – 10.30am
|
9.00am – 10.30am
11am – 12.30pm
|
|
| Intermediate | 11.00 – 12.30pm | 11.00am – 12.30pm | ||
| Senior | 1.00 – 2.30pm | 9.00am – 10.30am 1.00 – 2.30pm |
||
| Senior Transition | 2.45 – 4.15pm | 2.45 – 4.15pm | ||
| Senior & Senior Transition |
9.00am – 10.30am (Anime & Manga Skills) |
|||
| Sundays | Senior & Senior Transition |
11.00am – 12.30pm
(Anime & Manga Skills) |
