Your chance to experience Australia's best new art
The Sunshine Coast's most prestigious art prize now open
The nation’s spotlight will turn to the Sunshine Coast this month, with the 40 finalists of the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2026 unveiled.
Caloundra Regional Gallery will present 40 finalist artworks in a major showing from 21 August to 11 October 2026.
Residents and visitors are invited to experience the diverse exhibition, which includes painting, photography, drawing, textiles, moving image and more.
This year’s finalists represent an exceptional cross-section of contemporary Australian art practice.
Finalist works range from deeply personal narratives to broader reflections on identity, environment, community and culture.
Sunshine Coast Council is proud to celebrate outstanding contemporary 2D and new media practice from across Australia, through this acquisitive prize.
Through the support of Council, generous sponsors and our community, the prize has become one of the country’s leading art awards, with the winning artwork joining an impressive range of works in the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.
Internationally respected curator, writer and arts leader Rhana Devenport ONZM has been appointed guest judge for this year’s awards.
Ms Devenport is the former director of the Art Gallery of South Australia, making her perfectly placed to judge a prize that highlights the best of contemporary Australian art practice.
The winning artworks will be revealed at the Winners’ Announcement on Thursday 24 September; registration is free and all are welcome to attend this celebratory event.
Adding to the excitement, the community can vote for their favourite artwork in the People’s Choice Award – voting closes 13 September and voters go in a draw to win a $100 Gallery Store voucher.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize continued to attract some of Australia's most exciting artistic talent and reinforced our region's reputation as a vibrant cultural destination.
"Each year the exhibition presents fresh perspectives and powerful stories that encourage us to see the world differently,” Mayor Natoli said.
“The works are a vibrant reminder of humanity and we are proud to welcome visitors from across Queensland and beyond to experience these remarkable pieces right here on the Sunshine Coast.
"I encourage residents and visitors alike to make a day of it – visit the exhibition, vote in the People's Choice Award and discover the incredible creative experiences on offer through the Gallery’s public programs."
A cultural destination worth the drive
For Sunshine Coast residents and day-trippers from Brisbane, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience one of Australia's premier contemporary art prizes free of charge in the heart of Caloundra.
Visitors can explore the exhibition at their own pace and join a range of public programs designed to deepen engagement with the artists and ideas featured in the prize.
Join the judge for a free walk and talk on Friday 25 September, as she discusses the thinking behind her award selection.
Take an expressive drawing masterclass with Erica Seccombe, on Saturday 12 September, or make your own phone cozy with Louella Michael, on Saturday 3 October.
If you’re a true art lover, consider joining the Gallery’s new membership program to connect with your community and receive special benefits.
The Gallery is located in the heart of Caloundra’s cultural precinct, within walking distance of the award-winning Library+, cafés, shops and stunning Kings Beach.
Open hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and weekends, 10am to 2pm (closed public holidays).
Go to the Gallery’s website and plan your visit. You’ll find a helpful accessibility guide to ‘know before you go’.
Finalists to watch
Among this year's finalists are several highly regarded artists whose work has attracted national attention.
Kate Just
Melbourne-based artist Kate Just is renowned for transforming traditional textile techniques into powerful contemporary statements.
Working across knitting, sewing and photo-media, her practice explores feminist and queer histories, activism and social change, challenging the boundaries between art and craft.
Her finalist work continues a career-long commitment to creating art that sparks conversation, celebrates collective voices and reimagines the power of making by hand.
Kate Just | A sign of the times: a hand knitted translation of Zoe Leonard’s ‘I want a president’, installed in 2016 on the New York Highline | 2026 | hand-knitted acrylic yarn, timber and canvas | 155 x 122cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide.
Laith McGregor
One of Australia's most respected contemporary artists, Laith McGregor has exhibited at leading institutions across the country.
Living and working between Byron Bay and Bali, McGregor is known for works that combine technical mastery with a sense of mystery and psychological depth, inviting viewers into richly layered worlds of imagination and reflection.
Laith McGregor | Through the night | 2026 | oil and graphite on canvas | 153 x 122cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Station Gallery, Melbourne/Sydney.
Gerwyn Davies
Brisbane-born artist Gerwyn Davies has become one of the country's most distinctive contemporary voices, celebrated for his exuberant, theatrical and visually striking works that explore identity, performance and self-expression.
With major solo exhibitions at institutions including the Museum of Brisbane, Museum of Sydney and Tweed Regional Gallery, Davies brings national acclaim to the finalists’ exhibition, captivating audiences with his bold use of colour, costume and transformation.
Gerwyn Davies | Meat tray | 2025 | wall-based textile made from repurposed costumes | 145 x 95cm. Image courtesy of the artist, Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane and Michael Reid Galleries, Sydney/Berlin.
Homegrown talent
Two of the finalists hail from our own backyard, a testament to the strength of creative talent in the region.
Zartisha Davis
A proud Kabi Kabi, Cobble Cobble and Butchulla artist, Zartisha Davis brings powerful First Nations perspectives to the exhibition through vibrant works grounded in culture, Country and storytelling.
A Sunshine Coast Traditional Custodian and emerging artist on the rise, Davis draws on ancestral knowledge and her deep connection to Sea Country, creating works that celebrate the enduring relationship between First Nations peoples, land and water.
Her finalist work, Movement and flow, reflects the rhythms of Kabi Kabi Country and the stories embedded within its ancient shell middens.
Zartisha Davis (Kabi Kabi, Cobble Cobble and Butchulla) | Movement and flow | 2026 | acrylic on canvas | 92 x 122cm. Image courtesy of the artist.
Grace Herrmann
Sunshine Coast artist Grace Herrmann joins forces with Brisbane-based creative duo Andrew and Rachel Kimberley of Ancient Monkey in a collaboration that seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with digital innovation.
Their finalist work, Careful creature, transforms Herrmann's intricate hand-carved paper forms into a mesmerising animated world, exploring creativity, resilience and uncertainty through the journey of a fragile creature navigating turbulent seas.
Developed through a residency with The Refinery Sunshine Coast, the project highlights the power of collaboration and the region's growing reputation for innovative arts practice.
Grace Herrmann, Andrew Kimberley and Rachel Kimberley | Careful creature (video still) | 2024 | digital video | Duration 1:37. Image courtesy of the artists.
Thank you to our sponsors
Strong Portfolio Councillor David Law said the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize is made possible through the generosity of the sponsors and supporters, who make a commitment each year to enrich this cultural event.
“Of particular note is the commitment of major funding partner, Argon Law, who for seven years have sponsored the prize, making a significant contribution to the region’s creative landscape,” Cr Law said.
“Gratitude also goes to valued partners, the De Deyne family, and longtime supporters including Montville Country Cabins, Coastline BMW and International Art Services.”
For further information about the Prize, visit the Gallery’s website.