Young artists across the Whitsundays are being invited to turn inspiration into art for the inaugural Reeflections Art Competition, launched in celebration of the 2025 Great Barrier Reef Festival.

Open to students in Years 10, 11, and 12 from Proserpine State High School, St Catherine’s Catholic College, and Whitsunday Christian College, this competition is a chance for emerging creatives to showcase their talent in a professional gallery setting in the Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays.

This year’s theme, “Whitsundays & the Great Barrier Reef – Celebrating Marine Beauty and Conservation”, encourages students to explore the brilliance of our region’s natural treasures. From abstract interpretations to realistic portrayals of reef life, the call is wide open to imagination and creativity.

What’s on offer?

Finalists will have their artwork displayed throughout August in the Gallery during the festival.
Cash prizes awarded to the top three entries: $300, $150, and $50.
All finalists go into the draw to win a 2-night stay at Grand Mercure Apartments Magnetic Island for up to 2 adults and 2 children.

Winners to be announced by the Mayor of Whitsunday at a special celebration event hosted at Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays.

Submissions close 5pm on 26 July 2025, so now is the time to pick up your paintbrush, sketchbook, or sculpture tools and bring your reef-inspired vision to life.

For full details and to enter, head to:
https://www.athotelgroup.com/airlie-beach/reeflections

Let’s celebrate our region, our reef, and our rising artists—one stroke at a time.