2025 Curator

Ron Nyisztor

Ron Nyisztor has been exhibiting since 1989. His paintings are held in numerous private and corporate collections and have also been awarded best in show and highly commended.

Nyisztor Studio ARI has been directed by Ron since 2006 and is committed to a program to showcase West Australian artists, metropolitan and regional, seeking to develop a wider audience and appreciation for the visual arts.

2025 Selection Panel

This year’s Selection Panel will consist of the Curator, and the following panel members:

Louise Dickmann

Louise Dickmann is an artist and art historian with qualifications in visual art from Central TAFE and Curtin University, and a Masters in Art History and Curatorial Studies from the Australian National University.  Her field of interest includes the historic and contemporary visual art of Western Australia and the State’s wider Indigenous and non-Indigenous material culture.

Louise worked as a Lecturer at Central TAFE (2003 – 2017) and as an Art Consultant, then Manager of Membership Services, at Artsource (2007 – 2012). In 2018, she began working in collection care roles, as Curator of the City of Joondalup art collection and Assistant at the Berndt Museum of Anthropology at UWA (2018 – 2019). Louise now works as the Collection Coordinator at the Janet Holmes à Court Collection.

Yvonne Doherty

Yvonne is an experienced arts manager and administrator, currently serving as the Visual Arts Programs Officer for the City of Melville. In this role, she coordinates a range of arts events, including the annual Melville Art Awards, Melville Open Studios, and various art programs. She also manages Atwell House & Gallery and oversees the City of Melville Art Collection.

Passionate about fostering creative growth, Yvonne is dedicated to developing innovative programs and professional development opportunities for artists. She thrives on creating spaces where artists and audiences can experience genuine moments of connection through art.

With over 20 years of professional experience in arts administration, Yvonne has worked with leading Western Australian arts organisations such as ARTRAGE and the Perth Centre for Photography. She also managed Spectrum Project Space at Edith Cowan University for seven years. Yvonne has contributed her expertise as a selection panel member and judge for numerous art awards, including the City of Joondalup Community Art Award, Ellenbrook Art Award, and as a panellist for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and Museum Studies and maintains her own creative practice in photography.

2025 Judges

Susanna Castleden

Susanna is an Associate Professor at Curtin University, where she serves as Director of the John Curtin Gallery. An accomplished artist, lecturer, writer, and HDR supervisor, she previously held the position of Dean of Research in the Faculty of Humanities. Widely recognised for her dedication to developing and supporting others through various academic and community roles, Susanna brings extensive experience as both an academic and creative researcher. Her award-winning artwork is held in numerous public collections, and she maintains a strong track record of engagement across the creative industries and tertiary education sector. Susanna is a member of the Print Council of Australia and served as a Director on the Board of PICA for six years.

Alan Dodge AM

Alan Dodge has served in the art museum world for over 45 years. In 1972 Mr Dodge became a lecturer in the Education Department of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In 1975 he was appointed the first Senior Research Officer of the fledgling Australian National Gallery (now National Gallery of Australia), where he stayed for 21 years. During that time, he held a number of positions, culminating in the role of Senior Advisor, Special Exhibitions and Development. In late 1996 Mr Dodge was appointed Director of the Art Gallery of Western Australia, a position he held for eleven years until the end of 2007, when he retired. 

Alan is on the board of the West Australian Ballet. He has served for 15 years on the board of the National Portrait Gallery, has been a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Strategic Advisory Board at Murdoch University and was Chairman of the Murdoch University Art Collection Board for 10 years and is now the Patron of the Murdoch University Art Collection’s 50 year campaign. Over the last three decades Alan has served on a number of boards and committees involved in strategies for the cultural future of Perth and WA. He was also on the Opera and Classical Music Panel of the Helpmann Awards for six years.

Alan was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, by the French Government in 2004, an Honorary Fellow by Edith Cowan University in 2007, and was recognised with an honour in the Order of Australia (AM) in 2008 for service to the arts. In 2011 he was named Western Australia Citizen of the Year, Culture, Arts and Entertainment, and made an Honorary Doctor of Letters by Murdoch University in 2012 and also an Honorary Doctor of Letters by Curtin University in 2018.