19-06-2025
Champion Lakes artist wins PerthNow x Jacksons art prize
A Champion Lakes artist who is certainly no stranger to winning over the hearts of her peers has come out on top in the PerthNow x Jacksons 70th Anniversary art prize.
Experienced watercolourist Catherine Kelley delighted judges with her celebration of friend, fellow artist and Jacksons Cannington store manager Leesa Padget, excelling in interpreting the competition's brief: what her local Jacksons store and the community means to her.
The judges — Jacksons general manager Scott Boercamp, renowned WA talent Leon Pericles, sculptor Georgia Zoric, and PerthNow Local editor Arylene Westlake-Jennings — were enamoured by how Kelley captured her relationship with Padget in the mixed-media artwork.
Your local paper, whenever you want it. Leesa by Catherine Kelley. Credit: Supplied
'The stand-out stories for me over the judging of this competition came from the love and appreciation of the Jacksons staff over the decades,' Zoric said.
'Leesa was the embodiment of that thread of memories. A whimsical and thoughtful piece putting the staff at the centre of the Jacksons success story.'
Mr Boercamp said the submission demonstrated the appreciation Jacksons' customers have for its staff.
'Our staff are so important to us, their knowledge, their passion for art and creativity; it's what makes Jacksons unique,' he said.
More than 100 guests, including prominent Perth artists and Jacksons' key suppliers and partners, watched on as Kelley was presented with a $5000 cheque for the stunning piece at an exclusive soiree at Sailing for Oranges in Fremantle on Tuesday evening.
'I met Leesa at the Armadale Art Society about 20 years ago, I would guess. We were mutual artists at the society and I was president for a little while, and you can't help but get to know like-minded people.' Kelley said of her entry.
'I was inspired by her work and what she does and her hair — it's just a nest — and I couldn't help but represent that concept. And I personally love birds, so it all fell into place.'
Special mentions were also made for several submissions in the art prize, including Autumn Colours by Stef Hayward, Messages & Meanings by Dorothy Davies, and Pigeons by Giorgina Pitchen, which delighted all four judges with its whimsical take on the storefront of the flagship Jacksons in Subiaco.
The PerthNow x Jacksons collaboration celebrates the brand's 70th year in business, from its beginnings as a small showroom on William Street in Perth to becoming an integral part of the WA and NT art communities.
Mr Boercamp reflected on the significance of the milestone, sharing his excitement for the future.
'Reaching 70 years is an incredible achievement, and I believe our commitment to providing high-quality products, which we source locally and globally, and our team's instore expertise has been a big part of our success,' he said.
'I also want to congratulate Catherine on her well-deserved win. We hope to continue this art competition as an annual tradition to further celebrate creativity in our community.'
