Cooran artist Lew Brennan has another award to add to his resume, winning the prestigious Bendigo Bank Open category at the 2026 Mary Valley Art Festival in Imbil.

Held over four days from 23 July 2026, the festival marked its 25th anniversary with another successful exhibition of paintings representing 100 artists from South-East Queensland.

Judges – Gympie Regional Gallery director Kate Teed and artist Brent Harvey – said Lew’s painting displayed a high level of competency and advanced use of oil paint. They described the subject as “thought provoking and intriguing to the viewer”.

Fraser Coast artist Wendy Talbot won the $2000 Best in show award for Hide and seek, a strong painting which balanced realism and a painter’s licence, according to the judges. They admired her “beautiful composition and use of directional line”, as well as her ability to move beyond the edge of the frame. The award is sponsored by long-time supporter RJR Property. Wendy also received a highly commended award for her Open entry Neighbourhood watch. Hers is a familiar name on the winners’ list, having collected first prize in the Abstract section and taking equal highly commended in the Open last year.

Lillyana Walker’s artwork of a red-breasted bird was a committee favourite and winner of the Packers Prize, with the artist awarded $350.

Results: Best in show – Hide and seek by Wendy Talbot; Open – The awakening by Lew Brennan, HC – Neighbourhood watch by Wendy Talbot, HC – Nomadic kilim by Amanda Thomson; 3D – Facial recognition by Anthony Tarlinton, HC – Space cowboy living his best life by Kym Cunningham, HC – Fowl play by Janet Johnson; Landscape – Where the highs and the lows collide by Tom Murray, HC Still flowing by Diana Shepherd, Platypus Cove by Janine Osborne; Novice – Open AI by Lorelle Murray, HC A proud moment by Rebecca Smith, HC After the rain by Shireen Taylor; Animalia – The desert dwellers – bilbies by Cynthia House, HC On target by Jan Hodgson; Still life – What I see before I wake up by Jaime Buchanan, HC Australiana by Jillanne Cahill; HC Hot chilli box by Warren Lurie; Human form and portraiture – David Attenborough by Emma Atkinson, HC Homeless by Halina Paterson; Drawing – A white promise by Ada Moline Ruiz, HC Barra fishing Liverpool River NT by Nonie Metzler; Abstract – Whispered dreams by Ruthie Purnell, HC Synapses – illusive thought by Jan Murphy; Youth 12-15yrs – Aussie favourites by April Quirke 1, Still life by Angela Jacob 2, Wondering by Za-kyla Bradford-Gallaher 3; Youth 16-17yrs – Little kingdom by Lacey Poole 1, Circles of time by Isabella Young 2, Favourite things by Charlie Wilson 3.