Final chapter for Surf Coast community calendar

TWELVE artworks have been selected to feature in the final edition of the Surf Coast Community Arts Calendar, with this year’s winners capturing the spirit and creativity that has defined the project over the past two decades.

The chosen works span paintings, photography, ceramics and mixed media, each representing the vibrant artistic community that has made the calendar a local favourite for more than 25 years.

Almost 120 entries — including 29 from children under the age of 12, and seven from young people aged between 13 and 19 — were submitted for this year’s calendar competition.

These works are now on show at the Anglesea Art Space, and voting has launched to determine the winner of the people’s choice award, and the artwork to appear on the calendar’s cover.

“We congratulate artists on a stunning range of entries across all categories, age groups and mediums,” Surf Coast Shire councillor Leon Walker said.

“We hope this last calendar competition exhibition can be a fitting celebration of its story and the great artistic talent in our region, and that we can get a record number of votes in for the last people’s choice award.”

 

 

Last month, the Surf Coast Shire announced the 2026 calendar would be its final edition, closing a chapter that has showcased hundreds of local artists over the last two decades.

Citing rising costs and declining use of the calendar, the shire pledged to implement a new arts program in the calendar’s place.

Few details are available about the new program, but the shire says the facilitated project will change in theme, art form and location each year.

The exhibition will remain on show at the Anglesea Art Space until October 26.

People can vote in the people’s choice award either in-person or online via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/calendarcomp. Voting closes October 24.