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The theme Beyond Beauty asks what happens when we move into story, emotion, memory, mystery, and revelation. Photo source: Facebook
The Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition is set to return to Airlie Beach in 2026, bringing together artists, creatives and art lovers from across the Great Barrier Reef region for one of the Whitsundays’ leading cultural events.
Presented by Creative Connections Whitsundays, the exhibition will run from 30th July to 2nd August at the Whitsunday Sailing Club as part of the annual Great Barrier Reef Festival program.
Now entering its fourth year, the exhibition continues to grow in both scale and participation. In 2025, the event attracted more than 1,200 visitors, including 150 guests at the opening night celebration.
The 2026 theme, Beyond Beauty, invites artists to explore deeper ideas of story, memory, emotion and connection beyond surface appearances. Entries are open to artists aged 16 years and over living throughout the Great Barrier Reef region, from Agnes Water to Cooktown, with submissions closing on 29th June 2026.
The exhibition will showcase more than 80 selected works across painting, sculpture and photography, with entries accepted in 2D, 3D and photographic categories.
Creative Connections Whitsundays President Glenda Brown said the exhibition provides opportunities for both established and emerging artists to showcase their work to a wide audience.
An $8,000 prize pool will be awarded across several categories, including the prestigious Best in Show Award sponsored by Whitsunday Regional Council.
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