Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar Competition

Photo: "Winter Sunrise at Urquhart Bluff" by Caroline Lawrey. The 2026 People's Choice Cover Winner.

The Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar Competition provided artists from across Surf Coast Shire an opportunity to submit an artwork for exhibition and inclusion in a free publication available to the general public.

2026: The Final Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar

After more than 25 years, the 2026 edition of the Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar was it's last. This decision reflects the evolving needs of our community and allows the Arts Development Team to invest in new, flexible and inclusive programs. We would like to thank all the artists who contributed to the calendars over the many years.

About the 2026 Competition

The exhibition at Anglesea Art Space showed 117 artworks. Judges picked 12 to appear in the calendar, and a 13th was chosen for the cover through the People’s Choice Award, with votes from visitors at the exhibition and online. The event highlighted the talent and creativity of local artists.

Each selected artist receives a $300 cash prize and have their work professionally presented in the 2026 calendar.

View the 2026 winners

Congratulations to the following artists selected for the 2026 Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar.

‘Shipwreck Trail’ by Alisha Lyon Medium: Acrylic on primed paper Artwork description: A fragment of a memory from down the coast.
‘Clouds in the night sky’ by Archie Sullivan Medium: Canvas Artwork description: Archie Sullivan is a 10 year old artist living in Torquay. He is inspired by nature and loves to paint and draw landscapes. This painting is of Cosy Corner, which he was inspired to paint after going for a night walk.
‘Torquay Surf Beach’ by Doug Banner Medium: Acrylic Artwork description: Early morning view across to the surf club painted from sketches and watercolour studies completed on location in March.
‘Guardian of the Deep’ by Emma Hayward Medium: Ceramic Artwork description: Guardian of the Deep is a ceramic whale carrying a lighthouse and cottages on its back. Lit from within, the beacon glows and barnacles sparkle like stars. Inspired by daily ocean dips, it reflects community, ritual, and the guiding light we share through life’s tides.
‘In the distance’ by Luisa Gioffre-Suzuki Medium: Acrylic and pencil on canvas Artwork description: An atmospheric scape that is reminiscent of a memory.
‘Red Moon’ by Paul Weight Medium: Acrylic Artwork description: ‘Red Moon’ is part of the Banksii Series Exhibition held in Anglesea in September 2025 and reflects a deep love of nature, especially Australia's endangered black cockatoos. Red Moon is inspired by the local cockatoo's regular visits to Banksia trees at his home in Anglesea.
‘A Home Amongst the Gumtrees’ by Penny Skinner Medium: Watercolour Artwork description: A pair of magpies circle one another, bound in a feathery dance amongst Australian native flora.
‘DEEP SEA’ by Peter Day Medium: Marine tumbled fishing rope and net. Artwork description: Assemblage of marine debris polymers. Tangled within the halophytes, sand and sea grasses marine nylons colour the camouflaged, making obvious our ways.
‘Female Superb Wren’ by Peter, Brighton Medium: Photography Artwork description: Young female Superb Wren on a Banksia.
‘Surf Girl Crossing’ by Rosie Crone Medium: Gouache on 300gsm watercolour paper Artwork description: A Jan Juc beach house in the late afternoon sun representing off-beach coastal life. The house belongs to a 'girl surfer' and the sign has always caught the artist's eye.
‘Winter Wonderland’ by Sachi Bridgeford Medium: Watercolour, Markers, fine liner, pencil Artwork description: ‘Winter Wonderland' is a richly layered reef-scape inspired by the tidal rock pools of Bells Beach. Native seaweeds and local marine species are intricately depicted, showcasing the remarkable biodiversity found within these small yet complex ecosystems.
‘Spring Renewal’ by Sarah More Medium: Acrylic on plywood Artwork description: Even in a forgotten backyard, new life finds sustenance under a dripping tap.
People's Choice Winner ‘Winter Sunrise at Urquhart Bluff’ by Caroline Lawrey Medium:Oil Artwork description: The beauty of a cool winter morning - enhanced by a sunrise that warmed the heart and radiated breath taking colours