Published on Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 9:21:13 AM
Albany’s Creative Spirit Shines at Great Southern Art Award
John Manson’s captivating artwork on canvas ‘Over the Horizon’ has earned him the prestigious title of City of Albany Acquisitive Award Winner at the 2026 Great Southern Art Awards.
This year’s exhibition showcases the depth of talent within the region’s visual arts community, providing established and emerging artists with a professional platform to share their work with a broad and engaged audience.
Open to artists across all visual art forms, the Great Southern Art Awards continues to champion artistic expression while reflecting the unique character and creativity of the region.
For the first time, the 2026 exhibition has expanded to include young artists, with participants as young as seven years old contributing their work.
This exciting addition highlights the next generation of creatives and reinforces the City’s commitment to fostering artistic development at every stage.
Mayor of Albany Greg Stocks said the Awards are a powerful reflection of the region’s creative spirit.
“These awards are a celebration of the talent within our community and in 2026 it feels especially meaningful to showcase the creativity that continues to shape Albany’s identity,” Mayor Stocks said.
“By opening the exhibition to young artists for the first time, we are not only celebrating emerging talent but also investing in the future of our creative community.”
A diverse range of categories recognised excellence across disciplines, with award winners including Glenn Hegedus (Painting Award), Justine Gamblin (Works on Paper Award), Margaret Sanders (Print Award), and Linda Chambers (3D Award).
Youth category winners included Leo Holloway and Ari Elliot (Under 12 Years), and Tully Duff and Milla Rutter (12–18 Years).
Visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to vote for their favourite artwork, with the Popular Choice Awards to be announced on 7 May.
Throughout the exhibition, children are invited to take part in Find and Tick where they can explore the gallery, locate the listed items and tick them off as they discover each artwork.
Join the Arts & Culture Public Programs Officer for a guided talk exploring this year’s winning artworks, uncovering what set them apart and the artistic techniques and approaches behind them.
Sessions will be held on Saturday 11 April at 10.30am focusing on Youth Winning Artists and Saturday 18 April at 10.30am focusing on Adult Winning Artists.
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