Winners announced for 2026 Youth Art Futures Competition
Published on 20 April 2026
Winners announced for 2026 Youth Art Futures Competition
Winners of the 2026 Youth Art Futures Competition have been announced, celebrating the creativity and talent of young artists aged 12 to 25 from across the region.
The judging panel faced an exciting and challenging task, with a high standard of entries across all categories. Judges included Colac based artist Pete Cromer and artist and local art business owner Angela Baldwin.
Awards were presented in two age categories, 12 to 18 years and 19 to 25 years.
Winners in the 12 to 18 age category were:
- Encouragement Award: Bonnie Groves for F3AST (pronounced Feast)
- Second Place: Max Leersen for Pops Emu
- First Place: Isabelle Pilley for The Second Chapter
Winners in the 19 to 25 age category were:
- Encouragement Award: Katie Graham for 2026 Horse
- Second Place: Holly Robertson for Patanga
- First Place: Syria Parrott for Ether
In addition to the age category prizes, judges selected one artwork for special recognition. The Youth Art Futures Award has been awarded to Zoe Featherston for Dee Dee, in acknowledgement of a piece that strongly resonated with the judging panel.
Two Artist’s Encouragement Awards were also presented, selected by guest artists Irene Zappelli and Melanie Faith Dove.
Irene Zappelli selected Marissa Gibbs’ artwork Little Birdie for the Artist’s Encouragement Award in the 12 to 18 category.
Melanie Faith Dove selected Angela Johnston’s artwork Colours of the Otways for the Artist’s Encouragement Award in the 19 to 25 category.
People’s Choice Awards were also announced, following more than 1,600 public votes cast at COPACC, through Council’s website and via Council social media channels.
The People’s Choice Award winners were:
- People’s Choice Exhibition Award: Evie McDonald for Ikran from Avatar.
- People’s Choice Website Award: Mia Alexa Liu Platis for Happy Butterfly.
- People’s Choice Social Media and overall People’s Choice Award: Sadie Harrowfield for Ghost Trees.
Council thanks everyone who took the time to vote and congratulates all young people who entered the 2026 Youth Art Futures Competition.