Arts calendar cover winner captures Surf Coast spirit

Emily Wright (pictured) is the artist behind the lino print selected by the community for the cover of next year's Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar. Photos: SUPPLIED

A LINO print created by local artist Emily Wright will grace the cover of the 2025 Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar, after winning the community-voted People’s Choice Award competition.

Ms Wright is the founder of AHKI Illustration and is best-known for her nature-inspired works in graphite pencil.

Her winning linocut, titled ‘Surf Coast Community’, was inspired by her affection for her adopted Surf Coast home.

It joins 12 other works to feature in next year’s calendar, each selected by a judging panel from almost 80 submissions.

“I moved to the Surf Coast almost four years ago and never before in my life have I felt such an overwhelming sense of community,” Ms Wright said.

“It is so special and beautiful the way this community cares for and respects each other, and our beautiful environment we are lucky enough to call home.

“My ‘Surf Coast Community’ piece was inspired by our community, so it feels very special that it was then chosen by community for the People’s Choice award.

“I am so thankful, and it adds to the ongoing support I feel from our community to share and express my art.”

Titled ‘Surf Coast Community’, Ms Wright winning work is inspired by her love for her adopted Surf Coast home and its caring and respectful community.

More than 420 community members submitted votes in the 2025 art calendar popular choice poll, with Ms Wright’s piece narrowly beating a children’s category entry by Willa Webb and Tulleah Close and an open 2D category entry by Amanda Borg.

Surf Coast Shire chief executive officer Robyn Seymour congratulated Ms Wright on the “significant honour”.

“Voters clearly connected with the way Emily illustrated elements of our Surf Coast Shire environment, community and lifestyle, making it a very fitting choice for the calendar cover,” she said.

“Thanks to everyone who participated, we hope you enjoyed admiring the considerable talents of our arts community.”

Surf Coast Community Arts Calendars will be available for free from early December from community houses, hubs and information centres across the region, along with the shire’s municipal offices in Merrijig Drive, Torquay.

For more information, including calendar distribution points and the artists to be featured, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/calendarcomp