Leongatha Art and
Photography Show 2026
The 2026 Art Show has returned to the Leongatha Memorial Hall
from Saturday 17 January to Saturday 7 February 2026.
Click on the link below for full details from the Art Show web site.
More than 24 Awards & Prizes
across 14 Entry Categories
Over more than 49 years, the Rotary Club of Leongatha Art & Photography Show has become one of the major events and art shows in Gippsland.
Over 650 high quality entries have come from all over the region, Victoria and interstate to compete in various award categories including a large youth section, 3D, and All Abilities
This major show attracts many visitors, who come to view the works, all of which are for sale.
The venue is the Leongatha Memorial Hall, at the corner of McCartin Street and Michael Place in Leongatha.
On-line entry submissions from Artists for the 2026 Art Show were open from Friday 31st October 2025 and closed at 6:00am on Friday 5th December 2025.
Visit the Art Show web site below for further information, conditions of entry and the link to the On-Line Entry Form.
2026 AWARD & PRIZE GALLERY
(Click on image to enlarge)
Note: Due to lighting and other reflections some images in the gallery do not present the artworks as they appeared to the naked eye.
2025 PHIL RISELEY PEOPLE'S CHOICE
THE TOP TEN
No. 1 - ‘Time to Reflect’ – Kathy Leek (55 Votes)
No. 2 - ‘Dunescape Bass Coast’ – Adrian Johnson (48 Votes)
No. 3 - ‘Puppy Charm’ – Ling Wang (41 Votes)
No. 4 - ‘High Country’ – Nina Volk (36 Votes)
No. 5 - ‘Leongatha Memorial Hall’ – Nina Volk (35 Votes)
No. 6 - ‘Untitled 3 (Cow)’ – Lucinda Calder (32 Votes)
No. 7 - ‘Clydesdales’ - Dina Matei (29 Votes)
No. 8 - ‘de Castella Stables’ - Malcolm Webster (26 Votes)
No. 9 - ‘Peace and Quite’ - Karen Rosato (23 Votes)
No. 10 - ‘Enchanted Road to Walhalla’ - Ling Wang (22 Votes)
The Phil Riseley People's Choice Award is determined by votes submitted by visitors to the exhibition.
2026 JUDGES
KERRY SPOKES
Kerry Spokes is an artist living and working in South Gippsland, where she has forged a solid and respected arts practice both regionally and beyond.
A passionate advocate for the local arts sector, Kerry was co-owner of the successful Gecko Studio Gallery in Fish Creek and maintains ongoing involvement in community arts organisations and projects throughout the region.
Her current work using monoprint techniques, explores the elements and their interaction with the landscape—the wind, rain, storms, clouds, the sun and shadows—capturing the dynamic forces that shape and transform the natural world.
Working from her studio high on a ridge near Foster, she has an endless panorama of changing landscapes every day for inspiration.
MARK JONES - PHOTOGRAPHY
I have been doing photographic work for over 30 years as a hobby and am very passionate about the art and its ability to capture a ‘Moment In Time, as seen through the eyes of the photographer.
For over 15 years I have taught photographic basics to like minded people so that I could help them get a greater understanding and satisfaction from their own photography.
I have photographed many subjects from Landscapes, Sport, Creative Time Lapse, Wildlife, to eventually taking up Underwater Photography and Film making on a small scale. My photographic and video work has been showcased at various festivals and local exhibitions. I have been a member of Pakenham Camera Club for many years where I spent a few years as club president.
I have Judged at several National Photographic competitions over the years and continue to Judge the Pakenham National Photographic competition which draws from many wonderful photographers across Australia.
The 2026 Art & Photography Show is being held over three weeks from Saturday 17th January to Saturday 7th February at the Leongatha Memorial Hall.
The Memorial Hall is located at the corner of McCartin Street and Michael Place, Leongatha, Victoria, 3953.
The show will be open to the public from 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Sunday.
Entry to the exhibition is $5.00 per person. Young people and exhibiting artists were able to enter the exhibition free of charge.
The Official Opening and announcement of the 2026 awards and prizes took place on Friday 16th January, with a gathering of more than 150 artists, guests, Rotarians and our judge for 2026.
Our guest judges, announced the winners of our various Categories as well as the selection of a 'Best in Show' work.
In 2026 the 'Best in Show' major award went to Glenn Hoyle for his painting, ‘Charles Bridge Prague'.
LIST OF 2026 AWARDS
BEST IN SHOW
‘Charles Bridge Prague’ – Glenn Hoyle
PAT WEST BEST OIL
’The Gully’ – Craig Davey
RICHARD PEGLER MEMORIAL BEST WATERCOLOUR
‘Pinehaven Woolshed’ – Maureen Harley
RON & JOY STANLEY AWARD FOR FLORA & FAUNA
’Strelitzia and Seafood 2' – Sue Jarvis
EZYAS BEST ACRYLIC
’The promise of Warmth’ – Greer Arnott
BEST PASTEL
‘Bush Study’ – Jacqueline Christians
BEST MIXED MEDIA
’Skylandings’ – Helen Nkansah
DAVID JOHN MEMORIAL BEST INK, PENCIL, CHARCOAL OR OTHER MEDIUM
‘A Quiet Space’ – Karen Rosato
SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE RESIDENT AWARD (Any subject, any category)
‘Bush Morning’ – Julie Lundgre-Coulter
BEST MONOCHROME PHOTO
‘Elegance’ – Julie Gilbert
BEST COLOUR PHOTO
‘Blue Heaven’ – Sherie Howard
BEST DIGITALLY MODIFIED PHOTO
’The Morning Wren’ – Gary Beresford
BEST 3D OBJECT
‘Bass Coast Jellyfish: Bluebottle’ – Dina Goebel
SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL AWARD FOR BEST YOUTH UNDER 13 YEARS
’Sunlit Petals of Quite Joy’ – Marieta Kholostenko
SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL AWARD FOR BEST YOUTH 13 TO 18 YEARS
‘Guardians of the Valley’ – Joel Shinder
ALL ABILITIES AWARD UNDER 18
‘Rosso’ – Lorraine Alford
ALL ABILITIES AWARD OVER 18
’The Fancy Two Tailed Cat' – Stephanie Murdoch
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARDS (6)
’The Visit’ – Chris Tuttle
‘Rooster’ – Regina Dudek
‘Royal Exhibition Building’ – Marian Quigley
‘Portrait of Nonna’ – Matthew Petrucci
‘Flooded Plains’ – Florence Crighton
’The Coat Hanger’ – Sharon Wootton
LUCIBLOOMS MEMORIAL YOUTH AWARD
’Title’ - Artist (Not yet awarded)
LUCIBLOOMS MEMORIAL YOUTH AWARD HONOURABLE MENTION
‘Title’ – Artist (Not yet awarded)
‘Title’ – Artist (Not yet awarded)
PHIL RISELEY PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
’Title' - Artist (Not yet awarded)