Following the success of last year's prize, Craft is delighted to continue our partnership with Mud Australia to present the Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize 2026.
The Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize (SSCP) was established in 2020 by Mud Australia Founder and Creative Director, Shelley Simpson, to support and champion the next generation of Australian ceramicists.
Presented in partnership with Craft Victoria, the annual prize is open to ceramic artists working across functional ware, fine art, handcrafted objects and broader commercial ceramic practices. Alongside a $10,000 cash prize, shortlisted finalists will be exhibited at Craft Victoria as part of a dedicated exhibition celebrating contemporary Australian ceramics.
“The visual and plastic arts are an integral part of our culture and overall social wellbeing. This sector has long been under-valued and poorly funded. I love ceramics (of course) so I’m really excited and happy to help provide a platform and financial support for our emerging ceramicists.”
— Shelley Simpson
Now in its sixth year, the annual prize is open to ceramicists across Australia, celebrating innovative, sustainable and emerging talent through a series of awards designed to support and accelerate creative practice.
This year, shortlisted finalists will once again be exhibited as part of a dedicated exhibition hosted at the Craft Victoria gallery in Melbourne, celebrating the breadth and future of contemporary Australian ceramics.
Finalists will be selected by Founder, Designer and Creative Director of Mud Australia, Shelley Simpson and Nicole Durling, Executive Director of Craft Victoria.
Read about last year's exhibition and award winners.
Congratulations to this year's finalists:
Ellie Singe, Jade Power, Josefina Barcelo, Josina Pumani, Kaz Davis, LeShaye Swan, Mason Reed, Narelle White, Nastja Zarić, Raphy, Remy Pajaczkowski-Russell, Samantha Mackie, Steve Lees, Tai Snaith.
SSCP 2026 Award Recipient: LeShaye Swan
We're thrilled to announce that LeShaye Swan is the recipient of the Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize 2026 for her work 'Untitled' 2025.
"This year’s recipient creates work that is bold, dynamic and colourful. Her work tells stories of history, community and place in a way that feels incredibly joyful, vibrant and fresh.
There’s something both completely new and strangely familiar about her work — it carries a sense of nostalgia while feeling entirely her own. She translates place, memory and culture into clay with such optimism, character and confidence. I’ve loved watching her practice develop, and I’m very excited to see where it goes next.” — Shelley Simpson
LeShaye paints the Native flora that surrounds Mimili community. She began her ceramics practice in early 2024 and has a natural affinity for the medium, quickly developing her hand-building skills and adapting them to large-scale forms. LeShaye now resides in Adelaide and works at the APY Art Centre Collective Studio. She is an exceptional emerging ceramicist and is part of the Blak Manta First Nations ceramics collective.
Congratulations LeShaye!
Ceramics, Painting
LeShaye Swan
Highly commended applicants:
Aileen Corbett, Callum Kent, Gillian Martin, Jack Parnaby, Jo Lauritz, Joshua Searle, Matthew Winstanley, Sam Ward, Tantri Mustika
Discover the Finalists
Discover the work of the 14 finalists of the 2026 Shelley Simpson Ceramics Prize, now on display in our Atrium space until 3 October.
These emerging voices in contemporary ceramics are available to collect – explore the exhibition online now.
Ceramics
Shelley Simpson
