Hervey Bay Regional Gallery caps off standout year
Published on 22 January 2026
Hervey Bay Regional Gallery welcomed more than 11,000 visitors in 2025, delivering a strong year of engagement through 15 major exhibitions featuring local, national and touring artists.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour praised the gallery’s inspiring and thought-provoking program, which continued to attract both local residents and visitors to the region.
“Almost half of all gallery visitors were from the Fraser Coast, with the remainder travelling from elsewhere in Queensland, interstate and overseas,” he said.
“Thirteen of the 15 major exhibitions were original curated shows developed by local and national artists, alongside two touring exhibitions, reflecting the gallery’s growing reputation for quality programming.”
The gallery hosted 70 free events and programs in 2025 to encourage community engagement with arts and culture.
Arts spokesperson Cr Michelle Govers said the gallery played an important role in nurturing creativity among young people.
“In 2025, the gallery welcomed 47 school and community groups and continued to support youth creativity through the Creative Generation exhibition and the after-school Art Club for teens,” she said.
“The gallery also strengthened its national profile with the second edition of the biennial Girra: Fraser Coast National Art Prize, attracting more than 250 entries from across Australia.”
Sixteen finalist works were exhibited, with the $25,000 prize awarded to Sunshine Coast artist Amanda Bennetts for her video artwork Carve Crevice from Grace.
Cr Seymour said a partnership with the National Gallery of Australia also resulted in a semi-permanent loan of significant artworks now displayed in the ongoing exhibition National Interests: Australian Art in the 20th Century.
“2025 was an outstanding year, and the 2026 program will continue to celebrate diversity while expanding education and community partnerships,” he said.
“The gallery’s summer exhibitions by local and Queensland artists continue into February with three new exhibitions launching in early March.”
For more information on current and upcoming exhibitions visit: www.herveybayregionalgallery.com