SECCA

16/10/2026

14/10/2026

🌅Skywhales are coming to Bega this Saturday!

Join us for this special experience as Patricia Piccinini’s monumental hot air balloon sculptures 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦 and 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢 inflate and seek to take to the dawn sky at Bega Showground.

📅 Saturday 17 October, sunrise event
📍 Bega Showground

Free community event, 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 for updates and any weather-related changes.
More info and bookings via secca.com.au or via 🔗in bio.

💡Reminder, on-street parking available only.

Bring a picnic, enjoy coffee or breakfast from food vans, and watch the breathtaking moment these sky giants inflate and ascend.
A range of local food and coffee providers will be on site, including Toast (), Keg & Kettle (), Ragino Coffee and Za's Mobile Coffee.

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 is a project that talks about nature, family, evolution, care, and wonder. A soundscape sets the mood, and the slow inflation of the balloons, with cold air, then hot, allows the sculptures to rise from the ground and come to life. When fully inflated, and with weather permitting, the skywhales will take to the skies together.

Entry to the event is via the Upper Street pedestrian gates of Bega Showground.

4.30am – Site open to public to view balloon inflation
5.40am – Welcome address
6.10am (sunrise) – 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦 and 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢 launch, weather permitting
6.30am – Event concludes

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 is a National Gallery Touring Event hosted by the South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA).
Skywhales is the third instalment of The Balnaves Contemporary Series and is a 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 project.

Images: Patricia Piccinini, 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦, 2013 and 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢, 2020, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, © Patricia Piccinini

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12/10/2026

🩵 Thank you to everyone who joined us last Saturday for a special artist talk with Patricia Piccinini.

It was wonderful to welcome one of Australia's most celebrated artists to Bega, where she spent the day sharing her work with the community, beginning with Storytime at Bega Library, where she read her children's book 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, followed by an artist talk at SECCA — where Piccinini shared insights into her practice and the ideas that shape her extraordinary work, including the story of the Skywhales, from their inception through to the national tour.

📸 Swipe through for highlights from the artist talk. Photos by Marcus Ward Curran. Exhibition in background 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 by Karla Dickens.

—

🧡This coming Saturday, the 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 tour comes to Bega! Join us at the Bega Showground on 17 October at sunrise to witness 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦 and 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢 take to the skies in a spectacular free community event.

🎟️Register via the link in bio to secure your place and receive important event updates, including any weather-related changes.

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘳𝘵 (𝘚𝘌𝘊𝘊𝘈).

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵.

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SECCA is a service of

09/10/2026

🫟ART AFTER SCHOOL: Term 4

Our final Art After School program for the year starts soon!

Kids aged 5 to 8 will explore ideas and materials in a supportive and stimulating environment, while our 9+ class will get the opportunity to gain new skills under the tutelage of two experienced art educators. Both groups will explore current exhibitions before accessing hands-on art making activities over an eight-week program, working with a range of mediums to create unique artworks while connecting with other kids who love art too.

🎨Ages 5 to 8: Fridays from 23 October, 3.45pm to 5pm
🎨Ages 9+: Thursdays from 22 October, 3.45pm to 5pm

$210 + booking fee. Creative Kids vouchers accepted.
Bookings essential as numbers are limited.

🔗Full program details and bookings via secca.com.au or link in bio.
SECCA is a service of Bega Valley Shire
📸: Art After School brings creative kids together at SECCA. Photos by Angela Tarlinton

04/10/2026

SECCA will be closed on Monday 5 October for the public holiday and will reopen on Tuesday.

There's still plenty of time to catch our current exhibitions, 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 by Karla Dickens and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘳 by Helen Britton. Both exhibitions continue until 21 November.

Our regular opening hours are Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 10am-2pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

Image 1. Visitor viewing Karla Dickens' 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 exhibition. SECCA, September 2026.
Image 2. Visitor viewing Helen Britton's 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘳 exhibition. SECCA, September 2026.
📸 Photos by Marcus Ward Curran

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘳 is an Australian Design Centre, ADC On Tour National Touring Exhibition, supported by Museums & Galleries of NSW. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program. Helen Britton was supported to produce her work for this exhibition with funding through Creative Australia.

Museums & Galleries of NSW Australian Design Centre Bega Valley Shire Council

04/10/2026

⏳ Last chance.

Entries for the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲.

We've been blown away by the number of entries received so far. If you've been thinking about submitting, now's the time.

With a $50,000 non-acquisitive award, the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026 is one of Australia's major portrait painting prizes.

Don't miss out! Enter now via🔗 in bio.
Entries close midnight Tuesday 6 October 2026. Full details available at secca.com.au

Slideshow images, selection of the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2024 Finalists (details):
Ignacio Rojas 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦; Sophie Hann 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘦; Lucy Culliton 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘸 (winner); Elizabeth Barden 𝘓𝘪𝘢𝘮, 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨; Joe Blundell 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘺; Fiona Cotton 𝘖𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦; Shane Jones 𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳; Sue Jarvis 𝘎𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘦𝘯 𝘖𝘻𝘦𝘳, 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 and Vicki Sullivan 𝘍𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 '𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘞𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴'.

SECCA is a service of Bega Valley Shire Council

01/10/2026

✨Skywhales are coming to Bega! 🐋
Saturday 17 October 2026

Patricia Piccinini's 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢 is a monumental sculpture in the form of a hot-air balloon. Together with its companion piece 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦 they form a skywhale family.
Following their debut over Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra 2021, the floating pair are continuing to take to skies across Australia as a National Gallery touring event in 2026.

Piccinini believes 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 is not only two spectacular sculptures but a performance piece:
“I imagine visitors assembling to watch 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢 coming to life, with a single skywhale figure we have a character, but with the two we have a relationship, and a narrative.” says Piccinini.

As the skywhales float across the dawn skies, Piccinini calls on communities to engage with them creatively. Make a morning of it, prepare a picnic, watch in awe, and sing along in wonder as the skywhale family takes flight.

This is a free community event. Registrations are essential for updates and any weather-related changes.
🎫Book your place at secca.com.au

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘳𝘵 (𝘚𝘌𝘊𝘊𝘈).

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵.

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra .piccinini


Image: Patricia Piccinini, 2013, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, © Patricia Piccinini.

29/09/2026

🚨 FINAL WEEK TO ENTER!

Last chance to enter your artwork for the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2026. One of Australia's major awards for realistic portrait painting, the biennial prize offers a $50,000 non-acquisitive award and the opportunity to exhibit alongside leading artists from across the country.

Don't miss your chance to be part of the 2026 Award.

🎨 Entries close Tuesday 6 October 2026
📅 Exhibition: 12 December 2026 – 27 February 2027
🔗 Enter and find out more at secca.com.au

Image: Lucy Culliton 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘸 (detail), oil on canvas. Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2024 Winner

SECCA is a service of

26/09/2026

Join acclaimed artist Patricia Piccinini in Bega at these FREE public programs in association with the upcoming 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 tour.

✨Artist Talk with Patricia Piccinini at SECCA
Saturday 10 October, 1pm-2pm
Learn about the internationally renowned artist’s creative practice, the concerns and themes that inform her work and the story of the skywhales from their inception through to the national tour.

✨Children’s Storytime with Patricia Piccinini at Bega Library
Ages 4-7 years and their families
Saturday 10 October, 10.30am-11.30am
Follow the journey of the skywhales family and explore nature, family, evolution, care and wonder with Patricia in this special book reading with the artist of her first children’s book, 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. Including a kids craft activity.

Both programs are FREE to attend. Bookings are essential as places are limited
🎟️Book your place at secca.com.au

Skywhales Across Australia is a free sunrise event planned for Saturday 17 October at Bega Showground. Bookings are essential for updates and any weather-related changes.

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘈𝘳𝘵 (𝘚𝘌𝘊𝘊𝘈).

𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘔𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵.

Patricia Piccinini
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Bega Valley Shire Library
SECCA is a service of Bega Valley Shire Council

Image 1: Patricia Piccinini with 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢, 2020 and 𝘚𝘬𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘦, 2013, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra © Patricia Piccinini.
Image 2: 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, Araluen Arts Centre, Mparntwe/Alice Springs, 2022. Photo: Karlee Holland

23/09/2026

🎨 Spring School Holiday Workshops at SECCA

Looking for a creative holiday activity? Our kids' holiday programs are always popular, and we're excited to be offering two hands-on workshops inspired by our current exhibitions - Karla Dickens' 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 and Helen Britton's 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘳.

✨Treasures and Textures: Beaded and woven decorations
Ages 5-8
Wednesday 7 October, 10am-12pm
Young artists will create decorative wall hangings or wearable adornments using beads, found objects and simple weaving techniques. A fun, hands-on workshop exploring upcycling, colour, texture and creativity through making.

✨Curiosity Boxes: Assemblage art
Ages 9+
Wednesday 7 October, 1pm-3pm
Create a curiosity box using recycled and collected materials while exploring identity, memory and place through assemblage. Participants are encouraged to bring small objects from home to include in their artwork.

🎟️ $30 + booking fee per workshop. Bookings essential

Places are limited. Book now at secca.com.au