Local artists invited to take the spotlight
Published on 13 March 2026
Artists from across the Wide Bay-Burnett are being invited to showcase their creativity at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, with expressions of interest now open for the 2026 Regional Spotlight exhibition.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Arts Spokesperson Cr Michelle Govers said Council are now calling for submissions from artists at any stage of their career to be part of the curated exhibition, which will open at the gallery on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
“The Regional Spotlight initiative offers artists from across the Wide Bay–Burnett the opportunity to exhibit their work at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery while also gaining valuable professional development experience,” she said.
“This exhibition celebrates the incredible artistic talent across our region and provides a fantastic platform for local creatives to share their work with the community.”
Cr Govers said artists working in any visual art medium were encouraged to apply, including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and mixed media.
“Submissions are open to artists living and working in the Wide Bay–Burnett region, with artworks encouraged to demonstrate creative experimentation or innovation and to have not been previously exhibited locally,” she said.
“Since launching in 2024, the Regional Spotlight program has showcased a diverse range of creative practices from across the region through a curated group exhibition.
“Artists featured in previous Regional Spotlight programs continue to achieve significant milestones beyond their exhibitions.
“Karen Stanton was awarded Highly Commended in the 2025 Clayton Utz Art Prize for her work Domestic Wilderness, which was showcased in Regional Spotlight earlier that year.
“Colin Reaney has also celebrated a major career moment, launching his first solo exhibition in the region following the presentation of his installation who owns the numbers… who makes the words in last year’s program.
“Artists’ work selected by the internal panel from the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process will be professionally curated and presented by Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.
“Expressions of Interest will be open from today to Monday 6th April 2026 5PM AEST.”
Regional Spotlight 2026 will open at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery on Saturday 29th August 2026.
To find out more or submit an expression of interest, visit:
https://www.ourfrasercoast.com.au/Hervey-Bay-Regional-Gallery/Get-Involved/Regional-Spotlight)