Newsletter April 2026

Why Local Art Matters

In every community, a local artist does something essential; they notice what others may overlook, the angle of sunlight on the ocean at dusk, the palette of familiar hues that signal home, the fleeting moments that anchor us to a place.

Buying work from local artists is more than a transaction. Each purchase sustains the artist and the network of galleries, framers, studios and workshops that shape a town’s unique culture. With every acquisition, we acknowledge a sense of community, something mass-produced art cannot truly replicate.

In uncertain times, art remains an anchor. It cannot solve every problem, but it offers something enduring, a shift in perspective and a moment of solace when headlines overwhelm.

When we support local artists, we do more than buy art. We strengthen our community. The artwork we bring home is not a decoration but a necessity, a reminder of belonging we didn’t know we needed.

Local Contemporary Art Prize, Caloundra Regional Art Gallery

Seaview Artist Bernardine Hine has had her artwork selected as a finalist in the Local Contemporary Art Prize exhibition, piece ‘Buderim Serenity’. From a field of over 200 entries, only 40 were selected as finalists. The exhibition is on display at the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery until the 17th May and is well worth a visit.

If you are a fan of Bernardine's work, you can vote in People's Choice for her artwork by visiting the gallery website https://gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Award Recognition for Bernardine Hine’s Textile Practice

Additionally, Bernardine Hine has received an award at the recent Australian Quilt Show in Melbourne. She was awarded first place in the category- Embroidered by Hand or Machine Quilt for her work ‘Song of Summer’.

The piece depicts a pair of Eastern Koels, male and female, rendered entirely in free-motion machine embroidery. The process requires a high level of technical control, with detailed layering of thread used to achieve the texture and definition of the birds’ feathers.

Hine’s practice often focuses on technically demanding works intended for exhibition, extending her audience across both visual art and textile communities. ‘Song of Summer’ was also selected as a finalist in the Holmes Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art.

The Australian Quilt Show is a significant event in the national textile calendar, and selection as a finalist represents a notable achievement. Following its Melbourne presentation, the exhibition will tour nationally, appearing at major craft and quilt fairs in capital cities throughout the year, highlighting contemporary textile practice and its connection to broader visual art disciplines.

Wootha Prize

In further highlights this month, we are delighted to share that a sculpture of a female Maasai by Seaview artist Trevor Irvine has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Wootha Prize, part of the Sunshine Coast competition.

This long-standing event is presented by Barung Landcare under the auspices of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC), and features three categories, including sculpture. After a COVID hiatus, the event returns this year in conjunction with the Montville Wood Expo, running from 1–3 May.

Recognised as one of Australia’s leading wood shows, the Wootha Prize continues to attract exceptional entries from across the country. Trevor Irvine has been selected as a finalist for four consecutive years, reflecting a consistent standard of excellence in his practice.

Visitors are encouraged to attend the exhibition and view the finalist works in person. ‘Maasai’ by Trevor Irvine is pictured below.

Artists to Watch

Tall Stories, an exhibition by Tricia Taylor and Karol Oakley, opens next month at Matthew Flinders Gallery, Bribie Island.

Long-time friends and collaborators, Tricia and Karol have spent more than a decade travelling extensively across Australia, painting the landscape en plein air and collecting stories along the way.

Let Tricia and Karol take you on a journey of discovery through powerful physical and emotional imagery, as they share their tall stories of the Australian landscape. Featuring works inspired by the Flinders Ranges, Carnarvon Gorge, MacDonnell Ranges and beyond.

Tall Stories captures not only the vastness of the land but the personal narratives woven into each place. A compelling exhibition not to be missed.

Matthew Flinders Gallery, Bribie Island
Exhibition Dates: May 5–7
Opening Event: Saturday, May 9, 1:00pm
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00am – 4:00pm. Sunday: 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Brett McIntosh has a pop up gallery display at the Noosa Civic until 10th May.

Seaview Gallery Artist of the Month

Ron Bryant

Oil & Acrylic

Ron Bryant was born in Australia and has maintained a deep interest in artistic expression.

He launched his career in a leading advertising department, where he honed his creative skills, and later attended a technical college, laying the artistic foundation for his future work.

Alongside his early career, Bryant pursued photography under the guidance of an established photographer. This led to his acceptance into the Australian Professional Photographers’ Association and the development of a successful commercial and fashion photography business, which he operated for several years.

In 2005, he shifted his focus toward painting and joined a local watercolour group. This marked a return to an earlier interest in the medium and the beginning of further formal study. He has since undertaken mentorships with several established Australian artists, which have helped refine his practice.

Bryant has travelled internationally, attending workshops in Greece, England, the misty landscapes of Scotland, and across the United States. These immersive experiences deeply enriched his artistic endeavours.

In 2020, he received a grant to study and produce a body of work focused on the flora of the MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Bryant is also the founder of Wisteria Fine Art Studio in the Moreton Bay Region of Queensland, where he runs workshops and retreats.

Bryant’s work has been acquired by private collectors and businesses in Australia and overseas, and he has received numerous awards over the past two decades.

New to the Gallery

In Silhouette- A Study of Australian Trees by Deborah Mangan

Seaview Art Gallery is pleased to present a contemplative new series by artist Deborah Mangan, that explores the distinctive forms and enduring presence of Australia’s native trees.

This collection of six paintings centres on tree forms observed at dawn and dusk, when light is at its most subtle and suggestive. Working primarily in silhouette, Deborah Mangan captures the bold, grounded structure of the boab, the familiar reach of the eucalyptus, and the unique architectural qualities that define each species. In doing so, she draws attention to the individuality and identity inherent in these iconic forms.

By reducing each tree to a darkened outline, the work invites viewers to engage more closely with line, shape, and space. Rather than relying on full illumination, meaning emerges through contours. Soft blue-green tones and faint edges of light create a subdued atmosphere, encouraging a slower, more reflective viewing experience.

These paintings are not simply studies of trees, but meditations on presence, endurance, and memory. Each form stands as a symbol of resilience and strength, while also evoking a sense of isolation and beauty within the Australian landscape.

Deborah Mangan’s series challenges us to consider how we see and remember the natural world. In the absence of bright detail, the essence of each tree becomes clearer, reminding us that identity is often most powerful in its simplest form.