Highlights from the 2025 Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition
- Glenda Brown
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 11
A huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s Art Exhibition such a success! Set against the stunning backdrop of the Whitsunday Sailing Club, the exhibition welcomed more than 1,200 visitors through the doors - including art lovers from across Australia and even overseas.
From the moment we opened, the response was incredible. Visitors were quick to praise the quality of the work on display and how beautifully the space was curated. It’s always good to hear people genuinely connect with the art and the stories behind it.
Our Judge Irene Mengel had her work cut out for her: With 79 entries across multiple categories, she noted just how tough it was to choose winners from such a strong field. The level of talent this year was truly impressive. If you couldn’t make it, you can visit our online Gallery to see all the Finalist artworks
Opening night was absolutely buzzing. With a full house, the evening was officially opened by Mayor Ry Collins and a special thanks goes to our MC for the night, Julia Evans.
Congratulations to the winners for 2025:
Best in Show - Sponsored by Whitsunday Regional Council
Sharon Wootton - Where the Land Meets the Sea Meets the sky
2D Award Winner - Sponsored by Tassal - Our Community
TrudyHastings - ……In a While
2D Award Highly Commended
Lenny Pennell - River to Reef
2D Award Highly Commended
Patsy Harris - Stone Curlews
3D Award Winner - Sponsored by Vision Surveys QLD - Surveyors & Town Planners & Mosaic Consultants
Barry Smith - Nature’s wonderland
3D Award Highly Commended
Kate Schuler - Riding The Tide
Photography Winner - Sponsored by Ray White Whitsunday
Andrea Fabian - Langford Reef
Photography Highly Commended
Lucy Seddon-Brown - The Capture
Cathy Knezevic Local Artist Award - Whitsundays Arts Festival
Joe Faust - Bommies
Theme Award - Cruise Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef Festival
Brigitte Peel - Unity Comes From The Moon & The Sea
Framing Award - R & K Kenyon Picture Framing
Jahla Thompson - In Our Hands
People's Choice Award - sponsored by Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine.
Brigitte Peel - Unity Comes From The Moon & The Sea
Behind the Scenes: A Huge Thank You
Events like this don’t come together on their own, and we’re incredibly grateful to the dedicated team who made the exhibition happen. A heartfelt thanks goes to our wonderful members and volunteers who helped staff the event - your time and energy were so appreciated.
We also want to give a shoutout to our talented event photographers, Shirley Wodson and Merewyn Wright, for capturing the atmosphere and the artwork so beautifully.
And a very special thank you to our incredible exhibition setup crew: Linda Forrester, Grace McDonald, Gemma Louise Pap, and Carol Bell. This year’s exhibition had to be installed in just one day - no small feat - and this team pulled it off with skill and confidence. Grace can fix just about anything, and Gemma’s tireless good humour kept everyone going. They made what could have been a stressful day a whole lot easier.
And to everyone who visited, exhibited, or helped bring it all together including our generous sponsors: thank you for being part of something special.
We couldn’t have done it without you.
Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets. The draw will take place on the 4th Septembers so there is still time to purchase tickets. Proceeds from this raffle will help us furnish and fit out the community gallery in Proserpine.
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