Leongatha Art and
Photography Show 2026
The 2026 Art Show will return 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 700 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 will open on Friday 31st October 2025 and close at 6:00pm 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.
2025 AWARD & PRIZE GALLERY
THE LEONGATHA ROTARY CLUB AWARD FOR BEST 3D OBJECT
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD
THE LEONGATHA ROTARY CLUB AWARD FOR BEST IN SHOW (ANY MEDIUM)
THE LEONGATHA ROTARY CLUB AWARD FOR BEST 3D OBJECT
(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 will be 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 will take place on Friday 16th January, with a gathering of artists, guests, Rotarians and our judge for 2026.
Our guest judge, will announced the winners of our various Categories as well as the selection of a 'Best in Show' work.
In 2025 the 'Best in Show' major award went to Fiona Bilbrough for her painting, 'Blue Gum Haze'.
The 2025 AWARDS & PRIZES
BEST IN SHOW
‘Blue Gum Haze’ – Fiona Bilbrough
PAT WEST BEST OIL
‘Dunescape Bass Coast’ – Adrian Johnson
RICHARD PEGLER MEMORIAL BEST WATERCOLOUR
‘Leongatha Memorial Hall’ – Nina Volk
RON & JOY STANLEY AWARD FOR FLORA & FAUNA
‘Holly Leafed Grevillia – Mary Hennekam
BEST ACRYLIC
‘Sophie and Budgie’ – Sharon Wooton
BEST PASTEL
‘Rainbow Companion’ – Ling Wang
BEST MIXED MEDIA
‘Playtime’ – Cathy Harris
DAVID JOHN MEMORIAL BEST INK, PENCIL, CHARCOAL OR OTHER MEDIUM
‘Boots’ – John Reeve
SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE RESIDENT AWARD (Any subject, any category)
‘Spectrum of Spirits’ – Leongatha Painters
BEST MONOCHROME PHOTO
‘Over the hills and far away’ – Sherie Howard
BEST COLOUR PHOTO
‘High Country Sunset’ – Lotje McDonald
BEST DIGITALLY MODIFIED PHOTO
‘Apologies to Jan Van Eyck (and the entire Amolfini Family)’ – Chris Tuttle
BEST 3D
‘Under the Sea’ – Andrew Noble
SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL AWARD FOR BEST YOUTH UNDER 13 YEARS
‘Life’ – Toanui H
SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL AWARD FOR BEST YOUTH 13 TO 18 YEARS
‘Untitled 2’ – Lucinda Calder
ALL ABILITIES AWARD UNDER 18
‘Water Rocks’ – Hayley Spencer
ALL ABILITIES AWARD OVER 18
‘Untitled’ – Bill Jordan
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARDS (6)
‘Not a day for a picnic’ – Kate Taylor
‘The Cross, Rawnsley Park, Flinders Ranges’ – Bob Pelchen
‘Tussock Terrain’ – Janie Frith
‘Tanjil Valley’, Willow Grove, Gippsland’ – Ken Downs
‘Mediterranean View’ – Alexandra Leti
‘Tramore 2’ – Maureen Harley
LUCIBLOOMS MEMORIAL YOUTH AWARD
‘Paradiso Italiano’ - Ghun Phokaphol
LUCIBLOOMS MEMORIAL YOUTH AWARD HONOURABLE MENTION
‘Ebony’ – Emma Murphy
‘Dinosaur Teapot & Baby Dinosaur Teacup’ – Elana Abicare
PHIL RISELEY PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
’Time to Reflect' - Kathy Leek