“nurturing art
creativity culture”
Meet the finalists of the Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship (Djuyalgal Scholarship, meaning “the one who is telling the story” in the local Gathang language).
Now in its fourth year, the scholarship continues to celebrate and support emerging Indigenous artists and storytellers across New South Wales, and this year proudly showcases a diverse group of finalists working across art painting, digital art, fashion and accessory design, music, dance, photography and writing.
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MEET OUR 2026 FINALISTS
MEET OUR 2026 FINALISTS
ACCESSORY DESIGN
Robbie Hartigan
Robbie Hartigan is an emerging Gomeroi artist working across menswear design, accessories and contemporary fashion practice, including bucket hats and beachwear. Based in regional NSW, he has built strong creative connections through his work with Arts North West as an Aboriginal Arts Officer, engaging with artists and communities across the region. Robbie is currently developing his collaborative fashion label Marayn Menswear, set to debut at Country to Couture in Darwin in 2026.
FASHION
Kartika Medcraft-Smith
Kartika Medcraft-Smith is a proud Leterrermairrener and Plangermaireener Pakana woman from North-East Tasmania, with Wiradjuri family connections. As Founder and Creative Director of Pakana Dreaming, she creates artwork inspired by ancestral stories, family and Country. Grounded in the cultural significance of Lutruwita’s Lunapu Caves, her work spans visual art and wearable design, championing cultural storytelling, connection and authentic Aboriginal expression for contemporary audiences.
Liam Forrest is an emerging Awabakal filmmaker based on Worimi Country. His practice began after studying film and TV at TAFE NSW, following a period of serious illness that reshaped his path. Liam’s work focuses on storytelling with emotional depth, including his documentary Beyond the Break, exploring surfing, mental health and personal resilience through a grounded, human lens.
FILM
Liam Forrest
DIGITAL ART
Nicole Smede
Nicole Smede is a Warrimay multidisciplinary artist living on Wodi Wodi Dharawal Country. Working across sound, poetry, film and installation, her practice explores land, language and memory. Her work has been exhibited nationally, including award-winning Yulimba and Bagandha yanggamba ngga, and reflects an ongoing commitment to Indigenous-led storytelling and cross-cultural collaboration.
WRITING
Aaron Taylor
Aaron Taylor is a Murramarang man from Nowra, a Dharrawal language and traditional dance educator, poet and self-published children’s author. Through storytelling, Aaron celebrates culture, language and identity, creating works that inspire connection and challenge misconceptions. His writing focuses on strengthening community, preserving knowledge and empowering the next generation through culturally grounded narratives.
ART/PAINTING
Jasmine Christie
Jasmine Christie is a proud Palawa artist living and working on Worimi and Awabakal Country. The 2025/26 First Nations Artist in Residence at The Creator Incubator, Jasmine creates work inspired by motherhood, healing and shared experience. Through her art and community workshops, she fosters connection, storytelling and empowerment while building a growing exhibition portfolio across NSW.
MUSIC
Tawhiao Selway
Tawhiao Selway is a proud Yuin, Wiradjuri, Barkindji and Māori artist from Trangie, NSW. An emerging music producer, he draws on culture, family and community to create contemporary works rooted in storytelling and connection. Through music, Tawhiao explores identity, shares cultural knowledge and inspires younger generations to take pride in their heritage and where they come from.
DANCE
Holly Faulds
Holly Faulds is a Wiradjuri, Dharawal and Wywandy woman from Dubbo, NSW, and an accomplished dancer, artist and creative practitioner. A graduate of Village Nation and NAISDA Dance College, Holly has worked with Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Youth and Education team and now creates work for schools, studios and communities while completing studies in dance teaching and architecture.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Raymond Kelly
Raymond Kelly is a proud Dhungutti, Worimi and Gumbaynggirr man from Newcastle, NSW, with more than 30 years of experience creating digital art. Working across photography and visual storytelling, his practice celebrates the landscapes, waterways and wildlife of Australia’s east coast while exploring the deep connection between people and Country. Through his work, Raymond shares cultural knowledge, strengthens identity and preserves stories for future generations.
MENTORS 2026
Casey Donovan | Music
Samantha Harris | Fashion Design
Corin Corcoran | Accessory Design
Rheanna Lotter | Digital Art
Joshua Gilbert | Writing
Malang, Saretta Fielding | Art Painting
Damian Smith | Dance
Brendan Blacklock | Film
Warren Taggart | Photography
The Scholarship program consists of nine differing creative discipline categories that are open for applications. A single finalist for each category is selected by our special panel and a recipient is chosen from these finalists.
Applications are currently closed.
Please check back early next year!
Art - Nicole Chaffey