Community
28 May, 2026
Entries rolling in for the art show
THE 2026 Mortlake Art Show is shaping up for a strong showing as entries begin rolling in from some of the most talented artists in the region.
The art show will be held across the June 6-8 long weekend at the Returned and Services League sub-branch hall, with the doors now open from 10am-4pm across each day.
Mortlake Art Show convenor Cassandra Ellis said she was excited for the quality of work which will be on display, with entries already flowing in before the Sunday, May 31 deadline at 5pm.
“We’ve just had about 20 entries from Armour Beardsley’s team because we were worried we wouldn’t have enough from younger people so she’s encouraged a flow of entries,” she said.
“At the moment, we’ve already got probably around 50 or 60 entries which is really exciting.
“It’s very typical for us to get entries at the last minute as it’s a bit of a slow burn.
“We probably really won’t know what we’ve got until the doors open.
“I think it’s going to be a good show and we will fill the hall.”
Ms Ellis said this year’s event would run longer after a thumping 75.8mm of rain fell over Mortlake across the weekend during last year’s event, resulting in artists dashing to collect their works between heavy bouts of rain before the event had concluded.
“This year the event goes from 10am to 4pm and that includes on the Monday,” she said.
“We used to close off at 3pm so the artists could grab their paintings but with last year’s weather, we found people taking their paintings a bit earlier so we wanted to make sure the exhibition runs as long as possible with all the artwork up.”
Some entries appear to be down at this stage, including sculptures and photography, but a natural evolution in how artists retail their work has seen a change in what will be available for purchase at the show, which Ms Ellis feels brings a new element of interest.
“A lot of artists have brought in merchandise with smaller packets or A4 printings cards or little bits and pieces,” she said.
“It’s actually quite good.
“Considering we’re on the thoroughfare to everywhere, they’re good little things for people to take with them.
“It’s starting to take on a little bit of a market feel with all the little bits and pieces.”
Ms Ellis said she hoped to see crowds return after weather proved such a detriment to last year’s event.
“I think there’s going to be something there for everybody,” she said.
“Last year was not kind to us with the weather, but we made the most of it with the Country Women’s Association (CWA) joining us in our foyer with their own market store as due to the weather the market had been cancelled.
“We’ve been letting people know the market is on and what they need to do to enter, so there is a bit of excitement building.
“Hopefully it is dry this year because it is a beautiful building when the sun streams through the front windows, which really adds to the ambience.”
Ms Ellis said the return of the 2026 Country Women’s Creative Arts Exhibition to Mortlake would also prove a benefit as three events, including the Mortlake Market, running at the same time always brought in bigger crowds.
“Because the market is on and the CWA will be hosting their exhibition, there’s usually bigger crowds because there’s a couple of things happening,” she said.
“When it’s several things people really enjoy happening, especially if the weather holds up, it can bring quite a few people to Mortlake.
“All of the events are within walking distance of each other so it is really unique from that perspective.”
Anyone wanting to make an entry was invited to visit www.mortlakeartshow.com.au to learn more.
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