FAÇON Magazine has announced artist Jasmine Christie as the winner of the 2026 Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship, awarding her with $10,000 to support her creative aspirations.
Hosted by the Murrook Cultural Centre, the Indigenous Storytellers Event was all about celebrating and supporting Indigenous creatives from across NSW, giving them the chance to be mentored by some of Australia’s top artists.
“Creatives are part of our DNA,” said Andrew Smith, CEO of Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“We are the fastest-evolving people on the face of the planet, having gone from stone age to digital age, and we are the oldest living culture on the face of the planet. We’re the only people left with an intrinsic connection to an ancient period.”
The event marked its fourth edition and the celebrations were bigger than ever, with special guest Australian Idol Casey Donovan joining in for a performance after the Welcome to Country and the smoking ceremony.
“What began as an idea to support emerging First Nations creatives has grown into something truly special,” said Lara Lupish, founder and editor of the Façon Magazine.
The winner of the scholarship, Jasmine Christie, is a proud Palawa artist, who impressed the judges with her rich and layered paintings inspired by motherhood, healing, ancestry, and shared experiences.
With the $10,000 scholarship, Ms Christie plans to support the development and expansion of her current body of work, purchasing high-quality materials and accessing studios to continue her creative journey.
The eight other finalists, who had been selected across a variety of differing disciplines, received a $1,000 cash prize, and all their works were exhibited to the public.
Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson congratulated all the finalists, praising their role in preserving Indigenous history.
“Your exceptional talent, passion, and dedication are demonstrated throughout your work,” Mayor Anderson said.
“And you’re not just creating beautiful things, you’re preserving history, and you’re challenging perspectives. You’re keeping the sacred tradition of storytelling alive and thriving, and you should all be very proud.”
By Nico LOMBARDO
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