John Manson crowned overall winner of 2025 Albany Maritime Art Exhibition competition

John Manson took top honours in this year’s Albany Maritime Art Exhibition on opening night at Vancouver Arts Centre on Wednesday, July 2.

Manson claimed the $1000 prize as the overall winner for his oil on canvas piece Navigator, called a “striking and atmospheric” work by the competition’s three judges.

“It has a wonderful sense of depth that makes you feel like you are right there, looking out over the harbour,” the judges said.

“There is also something quite intimate about it.

“Despite the scale of the ship, it feels peaceful and still, which is a remarkable thing to achieve.

“Finally, from a technical point of view, it is extremely well-executed.

“Congratulations to John on an outstanding piece that really stood out to all the judges.”

Suzanne De Landgrafft Moore was highly commended for her pastel work New Year’s Day, which the judges noted for its “gentle, nostalgic power”.

The exhibition forms part of the annual Albany Maritime Festival, which runs during the month of July showcasing works that demonstrate the ocean’s beauty and power in all its forms. There are events throughout the city.

The exhibition features more than 60 pieces, displaying a wide variety of mediums and artists from the Great Southern and beyond, and will remain open until July 28.

The final award of the exhibition, the $500 people’s choice, will be awarded at the end of the exhibition as voted by visitors throughout the month. The people’s choice survey will remain open until 4pm on July 28.

The Vancouver Arts Centre will open on Saturdays from 10am-2pm for the duration of the exhibition, in addition to its regular hours.