Celebrating our 2026 CHArts competition winners
Creativity has been on show across Circular Head this month, with the winners of the 2026 CHArts Festival art and writing competitions announced.
More than 120 people came along to the opening of the CHArts Pop-Up Art Gallery on 4 September, where this year’s art awards were presented. From our youngest artists through to photography, sculpture, portraiture and open art, there was plenty of creativity to celebrate.
The writing competition also brought together some wonderful stories, with young writers among those recognised – and some even brave enough to read their winning entries aloud at the presentation at Smithton Library.
Art award winners
Youth Art – Grades 5–8
Winner – Flynn Carlon, Home on a Winter’s Day
Highly Commended – Esther House, Woman’s Face
Highly Commended – Saphyre Buckel, The Moon
Sponsored by Crafted Workshops (Tania Brown)
Youth Art – Grades 9–12
Winner – Hannah Sutton, Boho Doggos
Highly Commended – Jake Tuxworth, King Boxing
Sponsored by Ruth Forrest MLC
Youth Photography – Grades 9–12
Winner – Sarharna Horton, Little Moments
Highly Commended – Aliza House, Little Goats
Sponsored by Smithton Bookkeeping
Sculpture
Smithton IGA Sculpture Prize – Yvette Haller, High Ground
Saputo Sculpture Prize – Mike O’Brien, Animatnecroceptogenic
Circular Head Council Sculpture Prize – Lisa Annis, Circular Head Net Works
Photography
Circular Head Council Photography Prize – Sally Collins, Reflections of Stanley
Circular Head Tourism Association Photography Prize – Kelly Brown, Wayne
Community Bank Smithton and Surrounds Photography Prize – Phil Wise, Misty Morning at Peggs
Open Art
Circular Head Council Art Prize – Elaine Green, Breaking Day at Godfrey’s
Jeremy Rockliff Prize – Andy Coulter, Ava and the Avarians
Roger Jaensch Prize – Sean Chen, Mateship
McCain Foods Prize – Lesley Hanson, Dough Boys
Anita Dow Prize – Jeff Power, Murmuration
Geoff Stanton Memorial Prize – Jeff Power, Murmuration
Notable Mention – Megan Rose Doel, Her Little Wonders
CHArtchibald Portraiture
Circular Head Council CHArtchibald Portraiture Prize – Paris Gregory, Kaye
Stanley Hotel Prize – Sonny Au, Lee-Anne
Notable Mention – Sean Chen, Ms Liang
Writing competition winners
Open
First Prize – Ebony Robson Wells, Superman
Highly Commended – Amy Melody, A Good Wife
Special Mention – Laura Muller, Between Two Shores
Youth – Grades 5–8
First Prize – Lila-Rae Nicholls, Heir of Ash and Shadow
Highly Commended – Maja Powell, The Girl Who Belonged to the Sea
Special Mention – Rory Bishop, Cling Wrap Bubble
Thank you to our sponsors
A big thank you to the businesses, organisations and individuals who supported this year’s competitions and helped us celebrate creativity in Circular Head.
Art competition sponsors included Circular Head Council, Crafted Workshops (Tania Brown), Ruth Forrest MLC, Smithton Bookkeeping, Smithton IGA, Saputo, Circular Head Tourism Association, Community Bank Smithton and Surrounds, Jeremy Rockliff, Roger Jaensch, McCain Foods, Anita Dow and Stanley Hotel.
Writing competition sponsors were Circular Head 26Ten Learn for Life and Soroptimist International of Circular Head.
And a special thank you to our judges, who gave their time and expertise to the difficult task of selecting this year’s winners, and to Smithton Library for hosting the writing awards.
Most importantly, congratulations to everyone who entered. Putting your creative work out there takes courage, and the number and variety of entries are a big part of what makes CHArts such a great local festival.
The CHArts Festival continues until 4 October, with plenty more still happening across Circular Head.