Desart warmly congratulates the nominees of the NIFA 2026 Traditional Adornment Award:

Cassie Fisher Patterson, Yanggurdi (Wild Blak Arts – Cassie Fisher Patterson)

Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni, Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association

Support by Desart, the Traditional Adornment Award recognises an individual or group for the design of items that are created and worn to define or express culture. For tens of thousands of years First Nations Peoples from around the continent have celebrated their cultures through traditional dress. This award aims to encourage the creation and acknowledgement of traditional cultural regalia.

The Award Considers:
– Quality of construction
– Expression of living culture, traditional practice and story telling
– Contribution to the recognition and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

The Prize:
The winning artist will receive a $3000 cash prize from Desart.

Desart looks forward to attending and celebrating the 2026 NIFA on Larrakia Country this August alongside the renowned Country to Couture runway (2-3 August) and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (6-9 August).

Images courtesy of the Nominees: 1.Cassie Fisher Patterson, Echidna spine necklace. 2. Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni, Tunga (bark basket) and parmijini (headband/armbands), courtesy of Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association.