Almost 120 artists are shining in the Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar Competition exhibition and judges have named 12 to feature in the calendar's last print edition.
The exhibition of works submitted for the 2026 calendar opened to the public at Anglesea Art Space on Friday.
Winners to feature with each of the calendar months were announced at the opening celebration, and a people's choice vote during the exhibition will decide the work to feature on the cover.
Surf Coast Shire Council has produced the much-loved calendar for more than 25 years, celebrating and promoting local artists of all ages, with the 2026 edition to be the last print edition as Council develops new avenues for nurturing and promoting artistic activity.
The calendar's legacy will continue through a refreshed annual community art exhibition and the launch of an exciting new Arts Initiative Program supporting artists to share their work, connect with the community and develop their creative practices. e.
Winners for the 2026 calendar are:
Penny Skinner, Youth Under-19, 'A Home Amongst The Gum Trees', Watercolour
Rosie Crone, Open 2D, 'Surf Girl Crossing', Gouache On Watercolour Paper
Sarah More, Open 2D, 'Spring Renewal', Acrylic On Watercolour Paper On Plywood
Sachi Bridgeford, Open 2D, 'Winter Wonderland', Watercolour, Markers, Fine Liner, Pencil
Alisha Lyon, Open 2D, 'Shipwreck Trail', Acrylic On Primed Paper
Peter Day, Open 3D, Deep Sea, 'Marine Tumbled Fishing Rope And Net', Mixed Media
Luisa Gioffre-Suzuki, Open 2D, 'In The Distance', Acrylic And Pencil On Canvas
Peter Brighton, Open 2D, 'Female Superb Wren', Photograph
Archie Sullivan, Child Under-12, 'Clouds In The Night Sky', Canvas
Paul Weight, Open 2D, 'Red Moon', Acrylic
Emma Hayward, Open 3D, 'Guardian Of The Deep', Ceramic
Doug Banner, Open 2D, 'Torquay Surf Beach', Acrylic
Cr Leon Walker congratulated winners and encouraged people to enjoy the 2026 exhibition first-hand.
"We congratulate artists on a stunning range of entries across all categories, age groups and mediums," Cr Walker said.
"We hope this last calendar competition exhibition can be a fitting celebration of its story and the great artistic talent in our region, and that we can get a record number of votes in for the last people's choice award."
Entrants for the 2026 calendar included 29 children under 12 and seven aged 13 to 19.
The exhibition will open at Anglesea Art Space 11am to 4pm Thursday to Sunday until 26 October.
People can also vote in the people's choice award via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/calendarcomp. Voting closes on 24 October.
