The KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts (KZNSA) is proud to announce the opening of the 2026 Members’ Award Exhibition on Friday, 17 April 2026, at the KZNSA Gallery. This annual exhibition and prize-giving event celebrates the creativity and innovation of our members, while recognising outstanding contributions to contemporary art in KwaZulu-Natal.

Theme: Traces
This year’s theme, Traces, reflects on what remains, fades, or persists over time. It invites artists to engage with memory, residue, and mark-making, exploring presence and absence. Works may incorporate archival material, drawing, printmaking, photography, video, sculpture, performance, or painting, addressing erosion, accumulation, and material memory. The theme was selected through an open call, allowing members to shape the direction of the exhibition. The result is a diverse and thought-provoking collection that resonates with both personal and collective histories.

Prizes and Recognition
The Members’ Award is made possible through the generous support of the Key Foundation and the Joan Emmanuel Trust. Prizes include:

1. First Place: Joan Emmanuel floating trophy, R20 000, and a solo exhibition at KZNSA in 2027.
2. Second Place: R10 000.
3. Third Place: R5 000.
4. Merit Award: Selected by the KZNSA Exhibition Sub-committee.

About the Members’ Award
The Members’ Award Exhibition is a cornerstone of KZNSA’s annual programme, offering a platform for artists to showcase their work in response to a chosen theme. Entries are reviewed by the Exhibition Sub-committee, and only those that engage meaningfully with the theme are exhibited.

Join Us
We invite the public to attend the opening and prize-giving on Friday, 17 April 2026, and to experience the exhibition in the weeks that follow. Traces promises to be a powerful exploration of memory and meaning, highlighting the diverse voices within our artistic community.

For more information, please contact the gallery at gallery@kznsagallery.co.za.