Winners Announced at 2026 Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition
- Creative Connections Whitsunday Inc
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
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 mixed media, artists explored the theme in thoughtful, surprising and deeply personal ways, revealing stories and perspectives that reach far beyond first impressions.
This year's exhibition also celebrates the next generation of local artists, with six finalists aged between 16 and 18 selected for the exhibition.
Selecting the finalists was no easy task. A curatorial panel comprising acclaimed artist and educator Glenda Vickers, Whitsunday Regional Councillor Jan Clifford OAM, and Caz Hanks, Visual Arts Teacher at St Catherine's Catholic College, carefully reviewed every entry before selecting this year's exhibition.
The major award winners were then judged by respected Australian artist Glenda Hobdell, who travelled to the Whitsundays to assess the finalist exhibition.
2026 Award Winners
Whitsunday Regional Council Best in Show Award
The Whitsunday Regional Council Best in Show Award carries a $3,000 prize and it is an acquisitive award, meaning the winning artwork becomes part of the Whitsunday Regional Council Art Collection.
Winner: Michelle Brayshaw - Beauty is skin deep
2D Award
$1,000 prize sponsored by Tassal Seafood
This category recognises excellence in two-dimensional artwork including painting, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media.
Winner: Lyn Laver-Ahmat - Retreating Tide 2
Highly Commended:
Brenda Stone - Beyond the Waves
Gemma Louise Pap - Bravely into the Unknown
Gingie Johnson - Abbott Point Jetty
3D Award
$1,000 prize sponsored by Vision Surveys & Sunbird Electrical
Our next award recognises excellence in three-dimensional artwork, including sculpture, ceramics, and works viewed from every angle.
Winner: Stacey Nicholas - Reef Ballet
Highly Commended: Liz Knight - Serendipity in Shards
Photography Award
$1,000 prize sponsored by Ray White Whitsunday
Photography has the remarkable ability to capture a fleeting moment and transform it into something lasting.
Winner: Andrea Fabian - The Homemaker
Highly Commended: Michelle Brayshaw - Reflections
Next Generation Artist Award
$200 Sponsored by R&K Kenyon and $100 Cr Jan Clifford OAM
This year we were thrilled to receive six outstanding entries from artists aged between 16 and 18 years. To encourage emerging creative talent, we've introduced the Next Generation Artist Award.
Winner: Lola Hornstra - Everything has changed
Local Artist Award
$1,000 prize sponsored by Airlie Allied Health
The Local Artist Award recognises excellence from within our own Whitsunday creative community.
Winner: Trudy Hastings - Tidal Form #1
Highly Commended: Liz Knight - Hidden Beauty
Reef Theme Award
Airlie Adventure Jetski Tour generously sponsored by Whitsunday Jetski Tours.
The Great Barrier Reef Festival Theme Award recognises the artwork that best captures this year's exhibition theme Beyond Beauty.
Winner: Katherin Murray - Where Beauty Deepens
Highly Commended:
Lenny Pennell - Beche De Mer
Melissa Stone - A Mothers Guiding Light
Community Creativity Award
$500 prize sponsored by Brown Family Trust
One of the real highlights of this year's exhibition has been the creativity shown by our community organisations. Their collaborative works beautifully demonstrated the power of creativity to engage, educate and inspire.
Winner: TARTS Textile Artists - Tarts Tree
Adding another dimension to this year's exhibition are three special community artworks exploring the Beyond Beauty theme from an environmental and community perspective. Works by Eco Barge Clean Seas, the TARTS textile artists, and the Whitsunday Conservation Council encourage visitors to look beneath the surface and reflect on the environmental challenges facing our region and the Great Barrier Reef.
Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite artwork in the Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine $1,000 People's Choice Award, with the winner to be announced at 4pm Sunday 2 August.
Whether you're an art lover, festival-goer, or simply looking for an inspiring local experience, the exhibition offers an exceptional celebration of creativity, imagination and regional talent.
Creative Connections Whitsundays thanks the Whitsunday Regional Council, the Whitsunday Sailing Club, award sponsors and exhibition partners for their ongoing support in celebrating and showcasing the region's creative talent.
What: Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition When: Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August
Where: Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach
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