SeA eNews:
Aug | Sept | Oct 2026
South East Arts bi-monthly newsletter
2026 CASP recipient Andrew Poppleton hosts bronze casting sculpture workshop in Merimbula
Message from the Executive Director
Hello everyone,
As winter begins to give way to spring, it's exciting to see the pace of creative activity building right across the Far South East. I'd like to welcome to our newest South East Arts Board Director, Sahra Tohow-Dixon. Sahra has lived and worked across all three South East Arts local government areas and brings a wealth of regional knowledge, experience and passion for our communities. We're delighted to welcome her to the Board and look forward to the contribution she'll make to South East Arts.
I'm also delighted to have recently been appointed to the Eurobodalla Creative Arts Advisory Committee. It's been a pleasure getting to know my fellow committee members, and I look forward to contributing to conversations that help shape and strengthen the creative future of the Eurobodalla.
One of the great privileges of this role is travelling throughout our region and witnessing the incredible work being delivered by artists, volunteers, community organisations and local councils. From small workshops and exhibitions to major festivals, there's a real sense of momentum, and it's inspiring to see creativity continuing to connect our communities. It's been wonderful to see our 2026 Country Arts Support Program (CASP) projects beginning to come to life, with funded initiatives now being delivered across the Eurobodalla, Bega Valley and Snowy Monaro. CASP continues to demonstrate the power of relatively small grants to spark new ideas, build local partnerships and create opportunities for artists and communities alike.
Looking ahead,
Festival season is kicking off this weekend with the Far South Film Festival showcasing incredible stories from around Australia. We are looking forward to the Bega Streetlight Festival, now in its second year. It's exciting to see the festival continue to grow, with Carp Street — the heart of Bega's CBD — once again closing to traffic and transforming into a vibrant celebration of light, creativity, music, food and community.
The annual Headland Writers Festival is shaping up, with tickets and passes now on sale. This year's program is one we're incredibly proud of, bringing together outstanding Australian writers, thinkers and storytellers for a weekend of conversations, ideas and inspiration on the Far South Coast. Make sure to check out this year's River of Art Festival in September and early October.
If you haven't already, I'd also encourage you to join the South East Arts Creative Directory or update your existing profile. It's one of the ways we showcase the incredible breadth of creative talent across our region, connect artists and organisations with new opportunities, and demonstrate the strength of the Far South East's creative sector.
Thank you for everything you do to enrich the cultural life of our region. We love hearing what's happening across the region, so keep sharing your exhibitions, performances, workshops, launches and creative opportunities with us. I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming months as another exciting festival season unfolds.
Warmly, Kate
Headland Writers Festival passes & session tickets on sale now!
Grants, Funding & Opportunities
Know when annual funding rounds are going to kick off and prepare ahead of time. Explore these essential funding pools and opportunities for creative practice:
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Sound NSW Touring & Travel Fund
Up to $5k for domestic, up to $30k matched funding for international
Closes: LAST FRI OF EACH MONTH 12PM
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Regional Arts NSW Quick Response Grants
To assist with urgent needs in delivering creative works that arise unexpectedly and are not covered by other funding rounds.
Amount: Up to $3000 for individuals; up to $5000 for organisations
Closes: The last day of the month, every month from February to November.
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Support Act Crisis Relief Grants
Amount: up to $15,000
Closes: Ongoing
Who is it for? Musicians and music industry workers
Dame Nelly Melba graces the AU$100 note
Artists announced for Batemans Bay Community Health Art Collection
South East Arts was engaged by Health Infrastructure and Southern NSW Local Health District to facilitate an Art Collection that showcases talent from the Far South Coast.
Local Mogo artist Sherrie Nye was been selected to create an artwork which will feature on the façade of the new $20 million Batemans Bay Community Health facility.
Sherrie is a contemporary Indigenous artist with a lifelong connection to the Eurobodalla region. The original artwork, created by Sherrie, will be transformed into a largescale installation that will take pride of place on the front of the new facility. The art commission aims to create a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, staff and families visiting the new facility.
A further 12 artworks created by artists with a connection to the Eurobodalla region were selected to feature in spaces throughout the new building to create a welcoming, healing and supportive environment for patients, visitors and staff.
The artists include Dean Dampney (Pambula), Maree Jackson (Tuross Head), Sharon Beder (Surf Beach), Stan Squire (Pambula), Ann Rayment (Dolphin Point), Gary Kemp (Lilli Pilli), Christine Dimmer (Braidwood), Belinda Rosenbaum (Merimbula) and Dirk Rampling (Pambula), and selected artworks from the Mogo Wangganga Art Group.
Congratulations to all the selected artists!
Ann Rayment commissioned artwork 2026
2026 Olga Masters Short Story Award - $2000 prize pool
Enter by midnight Sunday 16 August. Winners will receive prizes up to $1,500 plus publication.
The Olga Masters Short Story Award welcomes entries from writers of all ages residing in Australia. Entries must be a single story not previously been published (2000 to 4000 words) with the theme of life in rural Australia. 2026 winners will be announced on Friday, 23 October at the 2026 Headland Writers Festival opening night in Tathra, NSW.
This annual award celebrates the art of the short story and honours the legacy of one of Australia's finest writers, Olga Masters. With the continued support of the Masters family, the 2026 Award is proudly presented by South East Arts and delivered in partnership with South Coast Writers Centre and Headland Writers Festival.
Entry fee of $25 AUD per story. Enter today at olgamastersshortstoryaward.com/enter
Olga Masters Short Story Award
Bega Streetlight Festival is back for 2026!
South East Arts is thrilled to once again run the hugely popular Bega Streetlight Photography Exhibition and Bega Streetlight Poetry as a part of the 2026 Festival program.
Enter your Snapshot Of Belonging for the Bega Streetlight Photography Exhibition
Entries close 5pm, 24 August. T&Cs can be found on the entry form.
20 finalist photos will be paid $400 each and be a part of the Bega Streetlight Festival Photography Exhibition, displayed throughout Carp Street shopfronts in September. This year's theme is "A Snapshot of Belonging". Entry open to anyone who lives in the Bega Valley shire and is free.
A pop-up exhibition will be held during the festival displaying all shortlisted photos. Festival goers can vote for their favourite shortlisted photos and a People's Choice Award will be announced on the night.
2026 Bega Streetlight Poetry Event
The Bega Streetlight Poetry Event will be hosted by Candelo Books on Carp Street during the festival. Local poets will be invited to submit poems reflecting on "Belonging" in the Bega Valley. Poetry submissions will be open from 26 August - 6 September 2026.
More details to come: southeastarts.org.au/project/bega-streetlight-festival
2026 Bega streetlight Festival Photography Prize
Get listed – get found! SEA Creative Directory
Artists and Arts Workers from Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley are invited o get listed in the SEA Creative Directory. Custom designed to help us find the right people for all the opportunities we get sent!
How do I get listed?
Login, add your details in the form & submit!
Why sign up?
This searchable directory connects customers, galleries and funding bodies with our local creatives. Your bio will always be online and optimised for
Creatives can use it to find collaborators, peers, mentors and gallery spaces and producers. If you don't want to maintain a stand alone website this is a great opportunity to link all your social channels together with a profile and a picture.
South East Arts can showcase the rich cultural fabric of our region. We feature artists and venues listed in the Creative Directory on our digital channels and our curated spaces. If we know about you then customers and funding bodies can find you too!
Snapshot of SEA Creative Directory
NEW: free digital resource - Supporting Arts & Cultural Tourism in regional NSW
A comprehensive set of tips, examples and opportunities to support growth of Arts & Cultural Tourism across regional NSW.
Arts & Cultural Tourism refers to travel experiences centred on creative life, heritage and cultural expression. This includes visiting galleries and museums, attending festivals and live performances, engaging in First Nations cultural experiences, exploring heritage places, public art, literature, music, food culture and creative workshops.
Free downloadable toolkit
News and Opportunities for South East Creatives
$55,000 prize pool for 2026 Basil Sellers Art Prize! Enter before 11 Sept
Entries close: midnight Friday 11 September 2026
Cost: $50 per entry
Enter online: Basil Sellers Art Prize - National Australian Art Prize | Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre
The Basil Sellers Art Prize is one of Australia's leading acquisitive art prizes, inviting entries of paintings, drawings and printmaking works from artists nationwide. With a prize pool of more than $55,000, the prize celebrates outstanding contemporary art while supporting artists through an artist-first approach that helps reduce some of the costs associated with entering art prizes.
Open to artists at all career stages and from all regions of Australia, the Prize is committed to care, accessibility and the belief that exceptional art can come from anywhere.
2026 Basil Sellers Art Prize
Announcement from The Basil Sellars Art Prize: New Artist Support Initiatives!
The 2026 Prize is doubling down on its artist-supporting ethos with two major supports: courier fees fully covered and a $100 framing subsidy for all finalists to improve accessibility and reduce exhibition costs.
More info: www.theBas.com.au
Contact: hello@theBas.com.au
Key dates
Entries close: 11 September 2026
Finalists announced: 16 October 2026
Opening and winners announced: 4 December 2026
Exhibition: 5 December 2026 to 30 January 2027
Where: Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, Moruya NSW
Basil Sellers Art Prize; includes 2024 winning artwork Bombo Headland by Lexie Watt.
Bega's Battle of the Bands - Register now!
Where: Bega's Streelight Festival - Carp St, Bega
When: 25th September
Bega's young bands invited to play 3-4 songs on stage. Great cash prizes and studio/recording time. For bands under 25 years.
Judges from ABC, EDGE FM and FRENZAL RHOMB
Register your band: 0439 604 671 or email station@edgefm.org.au
Lilith rocking out at Beats On The Beach, Merimbula
River of Art 2026 Arts Trail: Registrations Open
Open your door. Share your work. Be part of River of Art 2026.
When: 25 September – 5 October 2026
Where: Eurobodalla & beyond, NSW South Coast
Registrations: Open now
More Information: riverofart.com.au/program-information/
River of Art Festival returns for its 22nd year - and local artists, makers, galleries, creative spaces and businesses keen to showcase local creativity are invited to be part of it.
Join the 2026 Arts Trail and open your studio, gallery or creative space to new audiences. Share your work, meet visitors, tell your story and connect directly with art lovers exploring the South Coast.
Have an exhibition, workshop or creative event planned? Add it to the Festival program and be part of 11 days celebrating the creativity of our region.
River of Art Trail ©River of Art
Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award: ENTRIES OPEN!
SECCA invites artists from across Australia to submit entries for the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026. The $50,000 Award for realistic portrait painting is non-acquisitive and attracts hundreds of entries from many of the nation’s leading artists.
In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and the rapid proliferation of images, the biennial Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award takes on particular relevance. At a time when likeness can be simulated instantly, the Award foregrounds the enduring value of human observation, technical skill, and interpretation. It affirms portraiture as a slow, deliberate and deeply human undertaking – one grounded in attention, intimacy, care and exchange between artist and sitter, and in the fragile, complex act of seeing and being seen.
Entries are open until 6 October 2026. Full details available at secca.com.au
Ignacio Rojas - ‘Healing the incurable’;
FREE YOUTH MUSIC WORKSHOP: Ensemble Offspring
Come along and get excited about experimenting with and exploring sound in creative new ways with Ensemble Offspring! Suitable for musicians 18 and under with some experience playing an instrument, especially percussion or woodwind – other instruments and vocalists welcome.
A free one hour masterclass with some of Australia’s top contemporary classical musicians: Claire Edwardes OAM (percussion), Lamorna Nightingale (flutes) and Jason Noble (clarinets). The musicians will work with local music enthusiasts to expand their concept of what it is to create original music in real time through structured improvisation activities all the while developing excellent listening skills.
Where: The Twyford, Merimbula
When: 5.00pm Fri 18 September
Cost: FREE
Bookings essential: https://www.trybooking.com/DFICH
Ensemble Offspring: Lamorna Nightingale, Jason Noble, Claire Edwardes OAM (Credit: Keith Saunders)
Felt workshops in Michelago
Where: Nefotlak Farm, Michelago
When: various felt workshops throughout Aug / Sep
Join us for a 4 hour workshop on farm (just 40mins from Canberra) to make felted creations for your home or gift to someone special. Discover the ancient art of felting, meet our alpaca crew and learn all about their fleece. All equipment and morning tea included.
More info: Book your spot
Chez Kalthofen sitting with felting equipment in her on-farm workshop.
The Storyteller's Toolkit - a series of practical workshops
A series of practical workshops in successfully writing for film, digital media and stage. This course will teach you the basic elements of storytelling and provide you with practical skills to generate ideas and develop compelling stories for the screen.
At the completion of ‘The Storyteller’s Toolkit’ workshop a Storyboarding Workshop will be held in Merimbula, with Dr Alec Morgan (Honorary Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University). Supported through SEA's 2026 CASP grants.
Session 1 (in person & recorded)
When: Sunday 16 August
Where: Tura Marrang Library & Community Centre, Tura Beach
Sessions 2 - 8 Online via Zoom
When: Thursday evenings
Register to participate - bookings essential
Book your spot: https://events.humanitix.com/the-storyteller-s-toolkit
Cost: $150; Concession, FSF and SCWC Members $100; Students $80
Storyteller's Toolkit : presented by Far South Film
School Holiday activity! THE QUIZZICAL MR JEFF
Where: The Twyford, Merimbula
When: 1.30pm Tue 6 October
Cost: $50 | $40 | $35 | $30 plus BF
Tickets: trybooking.com/DMOVP
Step into the extraordinary, where the impossible becomes reality in a mesmerizing fusion of circus, magic & illusion! The Quizzical Mr Jeff is a versatile circus showman and magician renowned for his unique blend of object manipulation, whimsical illusions, and engaging humour.
The Quizzical Mr Jeff (credit: Wordsworth Productions)
Far South Film Festival 2026
The Far South Film Festival showcases stories told by rural, regional and remote filmmakers from around Australia. The 2026 Festival Awards, with is $5000 prizepool, will be announced Saturday night. Watch the trailers for the 2026 finalists here!
Where: The Twyford Theatre, Merimbula
When: Opening Night from 7pm Friday 14 August
Festival Day & Awards Night from 9.45am Saturday 15 August. Download 2026 program
Cost : Opening Night $40 Concession $35 | Festival Day $25/session Concession $20
Tickets: farsouthfilmfestival.com
Far South Film Festival 2026 selected films
PIERCE BROTHERS Moonrise Album Tour
Where: The Twyford, Merimbula
When: 7.30pm Sat 22 August
Cost: $45 plus BF
Tickets: trybooking.com/DLFWS
Straight back from Europe and on a roll, Melbourne indie folk outfit Pierce Brothers are taking their fourth studio album Moonrise on tour around Australia. In this first release of Aussie shows, the boys are excited to be coming back to some of their favourite venues in the country! Tickets selling fast so get in now! See you in the Moonrise.
Pierce Brothers (img: Woolstore Music & Lonely Lands)
The Streeton Trio's Women Who Dared
Where: Four Winds, Barragga Bay
When: Sunday 23 August 2:00PM
Cost: $47 General Admission, $37 Concession, FREE 16&U
Book your tickets: www.fourwinds.com.au
In Women Who Dared, one of Australia’s most internationally successful chamber ensembles, The Streeton Trio, celebrate the brilliance and resilience of women in classical music with masterworks by iconic female composers across the ages.
The Streeton Trio (L-R): Emma Jardine, Ying Ho and Minah Choe
Last Concert Band Standing
Where: Headland Theatre @ Tathra Hotel
When: Saturday 5th September, 3pm & 6.30pm
Cost: $25 adult/$10 concession/$50 group of 4
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/last-concert-band-standing
Sapphire Coast Concert Band and Bega District Band join forces to present a program sparkling with musical variety and bursting with brassy goodness! The 3pm show features performances from the Sapphire Coast Anglican College (SCAC) Concert Band, and the 6:30pm show features performances from the Bega All-Ages Development Band and The Trumpeteers ... come and hear the real thing!
Bega District Band and Sapphire Coast Concert Band
PINK FLOYD GREAT GIG IN THE SKY
Where: The Twyford, Merimbula
When: 8.00pm Sat 12 September
Cost: $79 | $74 | $49 plus BF
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DNWYU
Australian Pink Floyd tribute Run Like Hell returns to The Twyford to deliver an awe-inspiring show, meticulously recreating Pink Floyd’s timeless music with unmatched attention to detail. Bask in iconic soaring guitar and sax solos, a rainbow of keyboard colours, and a breath-taking video, lights and laser production worthy of Pink Floyd. This production lovingly recreates favourites from Dark Side of the Moon through to The Division Bell, including the spine-tingling “The Great Gig in the Sky”, the epic “Echoes”, and other songs featured in Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii.
PINK FLOYD GREAT GIG IN THE SKY (credit: Run Lilke Hell)
Ensemble Offspring share Stories of Water and Earth
Where: Windsong Pavilion, Four Winds, Barragga Bay
When: Saturday 19 September 2:00PM
Cost: $47 General Admission, $37 Concession, FREE 16&U
Book your tickets: www.fourwinds.com.au
In Stories of Water and Earth, music mavericks Ensemble Offspring join forces with Yawaalaraay storyteller Nardi Simpson weaving together instrumental chamber music with dreaming stories, song and interactive cultural learning.
All Four Winds performances are FREE for anyone 16&U, when accompanied by a guardian and valid ticketholder!
Ensemble Offspring with deadly storyteller Nardi Simpson
Radical Son performs from Bilambiyal
Where: Windsong Pavilion, Four Winds, Barragga Bay
When: Sunday 27 September 2:00PM
Cost: $47 General Admission, $37 Concession, FREE 16&U
Book your tickets: fourwinds.com.au
A proud Kamilaroi and Tongan artist, Radical Son (David Leha) fuses gospel and soul music with powerful storytelling in this commanding performance from his ARIA-nominated album Bilambiyal.
Radical Son (img: David Leha)
School Holiday activity! POGO AND BEAN
Where: The Twyford, Merimbula
When: 10.00am and 12.00pm Wed 30 September
Cost: $30
Tickets: trybooking.com/DOACJ
Big Deal Touring presents POGO AND BEAN’S BIG DANCE PARTY LIVE. Perfect for kids aged 3 to 8. Sing, dance, laugh and join the fun with Pogo and Bean in a high-energy live show packed with their own original songs, silly games, audience participation and lots of zany energy filled with laughs for the whole family!
POGO AND BEAN
2026 River of Art Festival
where creativity meets coast. and coast meets community.
Where: Eurobodalla & beyond, NSW South Coast
When: 25 September – 5 October 2026
More Information: riverofart.com.au
River of Art Festival returns for its 22nd year, inviting you to discover art, meet artists and explore creative spaces against the backdrop of the spectacular NSW South Coast.
Follow the 2026 Arts Trail into studios, galleries and creative spaces. Meet the artists behind the work, hear the stories that inspire them and find something that speaks to you. Buy directly from the artist and take home an original piece - and a lasting memory of the South Coast.
There’s more to discover along the way. See the finalists in the flagship River of Art Prize, experience Sculpture@TheClubHouse overlooking the coast in Narooma, and explore exhibitions and creative events throughout the Festival.
Plan your River of Art trip now. Explore the Festival and Arts Trail at riverofART.com.au
River of Art Launch 2025, ©Michael Blyde Photography
Singularity Sphere - Nettie Coleman
Where: Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, Moruya
When: 1 - 29 August. Open Mon to Sat, 10am to 4pm
Cost: free entry
Walk through planes of light, data and image - an immersive installation where you don't just observe the work, you become part of it.
This is the second exhibition of the collaboration between the Bas and the ANU School of Art and Design, designed to bridge the gap between professional arts practice and school-based creative programs such as the Little Sellers Art Prize.
Image provided by Nettie Coleman
From Earth And Fire
Where: Spiral Gallery, Bega
When: Friday 7th August - Wednesday 2nd September
A group exhibition presenting contemporary ceramics in all styles. Showcasing work by emerging and established ceramicists from the South Coast Region.
Gabrielle Powell
Basil Sellers Art Prize 2026: Exhibition
The biennial Basil Sellers Art Prize, held at the Bas in Moruya, on the South Coast of NSW is open to artists Australia wide for 2D works in painting, drawing and printmaking. All entry fees support local creative programming.
Key dates:
Entries now open - closing 11 September 2026
Finalists announced: 16 October 2026
Opening and winners announced: 4 December 2026
Exhibition: 5 December 2026 to 30 January 2027
Basil Sellars Art Prize 2022 winner Michael Thomson: An encounter on the path that leads to the river.
When Stillness Dances - Lilaea van der See
Where: Mechanics Institute, Page Street, Moruya
When: Sunday 30 August to Sunday 13 September.
Daily except Mondays. check the website for opening times.
Cost: free entry
An immersive experience exploring connection, remembrance and becoming through cloth, imagery, sound and light by 2025 River of Art Prize winner Liliaea van der See.
Familiarity & Strangeness
Where: Raglan Gallery, Cooma
When: 5th Aug - 20th Sept;
Opening hours: Wed to Sun, 10:30am - 3:30pm
An exhibtion of photos, paintings, prints, drawings & mixed media by Rowena and Rob Evans.
Seals and Poem ©Rowena Evans
Frequency of Floating
Where: Raglan Gallery, Cooma
When: 5th Aug - 20th Sept;
Opening hours: Wed to Sun, 10:30am - 3:30pm
A photography exhibition by Wendy McDougall.
The full catalogue can be downloaded from the website:
Love Goes On ©Wendy McDougall
Northern Beaches Environmental Art Prize
Where: Manly Art Gallery & Museum
When: until 20 September
Cost: Free entry
Kathrine Boland’s video work, Businesss Man II, is a finalist in the Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize. Discover innovative and thought-provoking works from 170 finalists from across Australia. These artists and designers responded to theme of the environment, with the aim to inspire real world change.
Image supplied by artist Katherine Boland
Three Artists, Three Journeys, Three Visions:
David Beck, Ray Hamilton, Graeme Krake
Where: Spiral Gallery, Bega
When: Fri 4 Sept - Wed 30 September
The exhibition celebrates the creative journeys of three local artists, whose life long dedication to studying landscapes has spanned Australia and the world.
Together their artworks explore memories or travels past, observations of our local area and journeys into the landscape of fantasy.
At Sea / On A Mountain - Solo exhibition by Tom
Where: Mane & Tales Studio, Bermagui
When: 23rd Aug - 2nd Oct
Opening: 23 Aug 4pm - 6pm
In this body of work Tom looks closely at the everyday. Cows, turtles, swimmers, fires, buildings, landscapes and the odd collection of curious forms are distilled into space, hand-drawn lines against dark ground. Set in re-purposed hard wood timber frames. There is humour here, but also more comteplative. Tom's works ask us to pause and really look at the things we so often pass by.
Artwork by Tom
Susurrus - River of Art
Where: Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, Moruya
When: Saturday 19 September to Saturday 17 October. Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm
Costs: free entry
Discover Susurrus, a group exhibition presented as part of River of Art Festival 2026. Through painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media, artists explore themes of change, renewal and the gentle rhythms of spring.
Artwork by Leah Ann Early.
Chiaroscuro: Light And Dark
Where: Spiral Gallery, Bega
When: Friday 2nd October - Wednesday 28th October
Who: Spiral members and South Coast artists
Playing with illusions is the delight of the artist. Chiaroscuro uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create dramatic effects. In this group exhibition a range of creative expressions explore the real and whimsical worlds of light and dark, creating impressions of space and depth, patterns and textures.
A visual playground in various media. Be ready for surprises!
Chiaroscuro: Light And Dark