ARTISTS across the Mitchell Shire were celebrated at hArt 26.
Over 180 artworks by more than 150 artists were on display at Broadford Hall, as hArt brought up its fifth year.
The exhibition officially opened on Friday, July 24 with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country by Taungurung Elder Aunty Jo Honeysett, followed by performances from First Nations dance group Nunkeri Tiddas.
Awards worth more than $2500 were presented to youth, First Nations and open-age artists, recognising works across a range of mediums and themes.
Twenty-five young artists aged 12 to 24 are represented in this year’s exhibition, while 15 works have been contributed by nine artists who identify as First Nations.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall said the exhibition was an important celebration of local creativity.
“hArt 26 is a wonderful celebration of the creativity and talent we have across Mitchell Shire,” he said.
“This exhibition gives both emerging and established artists an opportunity to share their work, tell their stories and connect with the wider community.”
Youth Mayor Evie Birks presented the Youth Artist Awards, supported by the Victorian Government’s Engage! program, to Lily Hocking for Bambi’s Fate (2026), hard-ground intaglio etching and watercolour on paper and Lulu Moon for Just Friends (2023), acrylic on canvas.
The First Nations Artist Awards Youth Artist Award was won by Charlee Whitling for Dreaming me (2026), acrylic on canvas and the Open Age Artist Award was won Bobbie Pepper for The Dance of Country (2026), handwoven raffia, twine and emu feathers.
Other award recipients were: Highly Commended 3D Work: Chris Anderson for Morning Kiss (2026), Corten steel; Highly Commended 2D Work: Juanita Bird for The Forest Seal (2025), acrylic on canvas; Highly Commended Photography or Video Work: Megan Montgomery for The Watcher (2026), photograph; Closing the Loop Award: Jessica Phoenix for Promotion of Hollows (2026), repurposed waste materials; Biodiversity Acquisitive Prize: Terri MacDonald for Echidna (2026), silverpoint and First Prize: Deborah Cull De Luca for Dream Escape (2025), acrylic on stretched canvas.
The Closing the Loop Award recognises artwork exploring the circular economy through reuse, repair, recycling and regeneration.
The Biodiversity Acquisitive Prize celebrates Mitchell Shire’s native plants, animals and ecosystems. An image of the winning work will help promote Council’s upcoming Biodiversity Strategy.
This year’s exhibition also features a collaborative work created by Year 9 students from Wallan Secondary College.
Supported by the Victorian Government’s Engage! program, the mini artist-in-residence project gave students the opportunity to work with master printmaker Marieke Dench. Their completed group work is on display at the exhibition.
