What an incredible four days! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition another outstanding celebration of creativity, community and local talent. Now in its third year, the exhibition welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Whitsunday Sailing Club, where they experienced 85 finalist artworks by 66 artists responding to this year's theme, Beyond Beauty. From paintings and photography to sculpture and mixed media, the ex

Creative Connections Whitsundays is delighted to announce Lenny Pennell as the winner of the 2026 Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine People's Choice Award for Beauty in Creation. Unlike the major exhibition awards, which are judged by invited arts professionals, the People's Choice Award belongs entirely to the community. Every visitor to the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition has the opportunity to vote for the artwork that resonates most strongly with them

The winners of the 2026 Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition were announced last night at the exhibition's official opening, celebrating the outstanding creativity of artists from across the Whitsundays and beyond. Now in its third year, the exhibition has become one of the cultural highlights of the Great Barrier Reef Festival, showcasing 85 finalist artworks by 66 artists responding to this year's theme, Beyond Beauty. Through painting, photography, sculpture and mixe

Since 2024, the Bendigo Community Bank People's Choice Award has recognised the artwork that captures the hearts of visitors to the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition. Unlike the major awards, which are judged by invited arts professionals, the People's Choice Award belongs entirely to the community. Every visitor has the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork, celebrating the piece that resonates most deeply with those who experience the exhibition. Creative

Lucy Seddon Brown is one of the friendly faces helping our Community Art Gallery thrive. A professional photographer based in the Whitsundays, she also loves exploring nature with her camera and enjoys painting, drawing and mixed media. As our Community Co-ordinator, Lucy has been proactively reaching out to local businesses and visitors to promote the gallery and recruit new volunteers, helping ensure the gallery continues to thrive. She also volunteers her photography skill

Some artworks tell a story through paint. Others tell a story through the people who create them. One of the finalists in this year's Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition is TARTS Tree, a remarkable collaborative textile artwork created by the Textile Arts (TARTS) group from Hideaway Bay. More than 20 artists contributed to the piece, each bringing their own creativity, skills and personality to the finished work. The TARTS have been meeting for more than 15 years, brin