Exhibition Opening | Girra: Fraser Coast National Art Prize & Strange Kinship

Celebrate the official launch of two new exhibitions, 'Girra: Fraser Coast National Art Prize' and 'Strange Kinship', as well as the announcement of the Girra 2025 prize winner.

Join us for the official opening and prize announcement of the 2025 edition of Girra: Fraser Coast National Art Prize. This biennial prize, an initiative of Fraser Coast Regional Council and Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, examines the intersection of people, place and the environment through the work of 16 contemporary artists from across the country.

The winner of the $25,000 major acquisitive prize will be announced by guest judges Judy Watson and Michelle Newton with HBRG Director Sarah Thomson. The 2025 prize finalists are: Lino Ah-Honi, Ariella Anderson, Amanda Bennetts, Jacqueline Bradley, Johnathon World Peace Bush, Shoufay Derz, Christophe Domergue, Claire Ellis, Baylee Griffin, Georgia Hayward, Joseph Williams Jungararyi, Ingvar Kenne, Anna May Kirk, Aaron Perkins, Brian Robinson and Paul Snell.

Launching alongside Girra is Strange Kinship, a group exhibition that brings together international and Australian artists to examine human perceptions of the non-human world. Drawing on our region’s reputation as a whale watching capital, Strange Kinship explores our desire to understand and connect animals and unpicks the layers of mythology, symbolism and cultural meaning we bring to these interactions.

Join the artists and judges in celebrating the official opening and prize announcement with speeches at 3:30pm, followed by a performance by Strange Kinship artists Dolphin Milk, and celebratory sunset drinks and music until 5pm.

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Image: Alistair Brightman