Great Southern Art Awards bring together the region’s most talented artists in colourful exhibition

Creativity is on full display at the Albany Town Hall as the 2026 Great Southern Art Awards have brought together some of the region’s most talented artists, with one standout work rising above the rest.

John Manson was named the prestigious City of Albany acquisitive award winner for his captivating work Over the Horizon.

Manson’s work is the star of the exhibition at the Town Hall which runs until May 7 and includes submissions from established and emerging artists, with young participants contributing their work for the first time.

Other winners from the range of categories were Glenn Hegedus (painting award), Justine Gamblin (works on paper award), Margaret Sanders (print award) and Linda Chambers (3D award).

Youth category winners included Leo Holloway and Ari Elliot (under-12) and Tully Duff and Milla Rutter (12-18 years).

Visitors to the exhibition can vote for their favourite work with the popular choice awards to be announced on May 7.

Manson is no novice when it comes to winning art competitions as his painting Navigator took out the Albany Maritime Art Exhibition’s top prize last July.

He said Over the Horizon, which shows a man looking out over the Ataturk Channel, was a second attempt.

“A friend of mine saw it and clearly found it underwhelming so I redid it and it’s now much better,” he said.

“It’s about a man looking over the channel and considering those who departed from there in World War I, but on another level it’s about none of us really knowing what the future holds.”

He said he enjoys exhibiting his work and supporting the arts community.

“It’s a way of supporting local exhibitions and being part of it,” he said.

“And it’s better than sticking the paintings under the bed.”

The competition drew strong interest, showcasing the depth and diversity of the Great Southern’s arts community and was open to creatives across all different visual art forms.

Albany mayor Greg Stocks said the awards were a powerful reflection of the region’s creative spirit.

“These awards are a celebration of the talent within our community and in 2026 it feels especially meaningful to showcase the creativity that continues to shape Albany’s identity,” he said.

“By opening the exhibition to young artists for the first time, we are not only celebrating emerging talent but also investing in the future of our creative community.”

Over the course of the exhibition, children will have the chance to take part in a Find and Tick exercise where they can explore the gallery, locate listed items and check them off as they discover each artwork.

Guided walks through the exhibition exploring the winning artworks, uncovering what has set them apart and the artistic techniques and approaches behind them, are also taking place.

The tour focusing on the youth artwork will be on April 11 at 10.30am with the adult version scheduled for April 18 at 10.30am.