Bell Art Group & Bluebelles Art Gallery

05/03/2026

Happy New Year to all!
We will see you for our first art day back on January 29th. 🎉

05/03/2026

Congratulations to our fantastic Raffle Winners from the Bell Art Exhibition 2026! 🎉🍾
What an incredible week it was at the Bell Memorial Public Hall! With approximately 180 people through the doors (including our amazing volunteers), and strong art sales in the of an amazing 33 pieces sold – thank you to everyone who came along, supported our local artists, voted in the Viewers’ Choice, and purchased raffle tickets. Your enthusiasm made this 25th annual exhibition truly special! ❤️

A huge congratulations to our lucky winners:
1st Major Prize Draw:
Lorraine Edwards – you’ve won the top prize! 🎁
Multi-Draw Winners (in no particular order):
• Cathy Peel
• Gay Naumann
• Mike John
• Gwen Dowd
• Gay Naumann (double winner – lucky day!)

Well done to all our raffle winners – we hope you’re thrilled with your prizes! If you haven’t collected yet, please get in touch with the Bell Art Group team.

A massive thank you once again to our generous sponsors, all the talented artists, our hardworking volunteers, and every single visitor who made the exhibition such a success. The exhibition wrapped up on March 1st, but the creativity and community spirit live on!

Stay tuned for more updates, and keep creating and supporting local art in the Western Downs region. 🌟

05/03/2026

Congratulations to our Viewers’ Choice Award winners at the Bell Art Exhibition 2026! 🎨✨
The community has spoken, and your votes have highlighted two truly captivating pieces that captured hearts this year.
First, huge congratulations to Cecilia Krieg for her beautiful painting “Waiting for Dad”, which took out the Viewers’ Choice Award! This heartfelt scene of a young boy and his loyal dog patiently waiting truly resonated with so many visitors. 🐶❤️

And in the Junior category, a massive well done to Lacey Pohle for her stunning work “Water Girl”, securing the Viewers’ Choice Junior Award! This evocative portrait of a girl emerging from the water is powerful, emotive, and beautifully executed. 🌊👧

Your support and votes make all the difference in celebrating local talent here in our community.

Thank you to every artist who entered, our wonderful sponsors, judges, and especially YOU – our viewers – for making the 2026 Bell Art Exhibition such a success. 💙

26/02/2026

The Bell Art Exhibition 2026 is off to a fantastic start with some wonderful sales already this week! 🎨✨
Our talented local artists are seeing their beautiful works find new homes – huge congratulations to everyone who's sold a piece so far. Here's a roundup of the "Just Sold" highlights:

Bay Dream by Bernadette Whisson – $170

Daisies by Rosanne Steele – $45

Along Charly's Creek by Margaret Stevenson – $130

Bunya Mountains Walk by Tara Routley – $180

Aground by Jenny Newman – $150

Misty Mountains by Roslyn Hartwig – $480

Sharing a Drop by Kath Legdin – $425

Morning Magpie by Katrina O'Shannessy – $100

Pear & Apple by Tara Routley – $50 each

Slices of Sunshine, Ember Orchard, & Limelight by Tracey Shaeper – $225 each

Neon Nomad & Big Blue by Kath Legdin – $180 each

Here Comes the Sun by Meg Cullen – $250

Dragonfly Retreat by Patty Jackson – $180

Just Keep Swimming by Katrina O'Shannessy – $120

Mighty Chooks & Field of Dreams by Jaime Fanning – $150 each

Mound (2) by Linley Parson – $80

Island by Roslyn Hartwig – $120

Echidna & Ant by Ann Guyatt – $60

Waiting for Dad by Cecilia Krieg – $300

Looking Out My Backdoor by Dan Cosgrove – $490

Vanuatu Markets 1 by Cecilia Krieg - $450

Vanuatu Markets 2 by Cecilia Krieg - $550

Lesley's Garden by Megg Cullen - $250

Old Boots by Ann Guyatt - $150

Be-Jeweled by Cathy Peel - $90

Fish by Barbara Manuel - $99

Between the Rails by Donna Hockey - $280

Tall Stories by Katrina O’Shannessy - $250

These vibrant landscapes, wildlife pieces, still lifes, and more are capturing hearts (and walls!) in our community.

The exhibition is still running until March 1, 2026 at the Bell Memorial Public Hall, 59 Wallace Street, Bell QLD – open daily 9am–3pm with FREE ENTRY! Come browse, support our amazing local artists, and maybe take home your own treasure.

Well done to all the creators – keep the sales rolling! 💚

25/02/2026

Dear Valued Artists, Sponsors, Supporters, Guests, and Art Community,

What an absolutely magical week it has been so far! The 25th Annual Bell Art Exhibition 2026 is in full swing and continues until Sunday, March 1st. We are still buzzing from the incredible energy, creativity, and warmth that has filled the hall every single day so far. With 70 talented artists (including 14 wonderful juniors) showcasing over 300 stunning pieces, this year’s exhibition was truly one of our most vibrant and successful yet.

From breathtaking landscapes and intricate wildlife studies to bold contemporary works and delightful junior creations, the standard was exceptionally high, and the community spirit was second to none. We are delighted to share the full list of winners below. A massive congratulations to every single artist who entered – your passion, skill, and dedication made this event shine. Whether you took home an award or not, every piece contributed to the beauty and success of the exhibition, and we are so proud of you all.

SPECIAL TROPHIES & AWARDS

Grand Champion: Cindy MacDonald – Two Does

Reserve Champion: Cindy MacDonald – I Matter

Champion Junior Art: Lacey Pohle – Water Girl

Dalby Regional Arts Council Choice Award: Alison Murphy – Highfields Gum

Packing Room Prize: April Quirke – The Three Sisters

Lil Walker Perpetual Trophy: Kath Legdin – Sharing a Drop

George & Sandra Hames Patron Trophy: Katrina O’Shannessy – Cook or Be Cooked

Ruth Storey Life Member Trophy: Kath Legdin – Neon Nomad

Paul Haslem Memorial Trophy: Alison Murphy – Quiet in the Valley

Tilt Renewables Awards

• Cindy MacDonald – Little Whispers

• Katrina O’Shannessy – Roots of Resilience

• Katrina O’Shannessy – Bush Ecology in Colour

WINNERS BY CLASS

Open Awards – Classes 1–17

Class 1

1st: Alison Murphy – Shadowed Hill

2nd: Geoff Bontoft – Canyon

Class 2

1st: Megg Cullen – Here Comes the Sun

2nd: Roslyn Hartwig – The Dance of Nature’s Flow

Class 3

1st: Joan Moss – Fuchsias

2nd: Joan Moss – Grevillea

Highly Commended: Tracey Schaeper – Slices of Sunshine

Class 4

1st: Barbara Conn – Fisherman

2nd: Cecilia Krieg – Waiting for Dad

Class 5

1st: Trev Fielding – Dragonfly at Rest

2nd: Pam Shipman – Captured Shadows

Class 6

1st: Donna Hockey – Riding the Woolbacks

2nd: Trev Fielding – Afternoon Paddle

Class 7

1st: Lynne Butters – Loved Before

2nd: Lyn Johnston – Koala Dreams

Class 8

1st: Geoff Bontoft – Through Quiet Eyes

2nd: Lily Cant – Crowned by Sunlight

Class 9

1st: Cecilia Krieg – Vanuatu Markets 1

2nd: Terese Eglington – Paint My Portrait Please!

Class 10

1st: Tracey Schaeper – Surfacing

2nd: Janice Young – Gilded Veil of Mystery

Class 11

1st: Gay Naumann – Turtle

2nd: Janice Young – Turbulent Undercurrent

3rd: Terese Eglington – Underwater Dreaming

Class 12

1st: Terese Eglington – Taking the Plunge

2nd: Geoff Bontoft – Side x Side

Class 13

1st: Lily Cant – Amongst the Petals

2nd: Thelma Archibald – What Are You Doing Up Here?

3rd: Ann Guyatt – Echidna & Ant

Class 14

1st: Deborah Burton – Watchful

2nd: Kath Legdin – Sharing a Drop

Class 15

1st: Tracey Schaeper – Wren on a Wire

2nd: Tracey Schaeper – Swine with Shine

Class 16

1st: Katrina O’Shannessy – Tall Stories

2nd: Geoff Bontoft – Enchanted Forest

Class 17

1st: Katrina O’Shannessy – Ode to the Farmers

2nd: Steve Cant – Keta

Junior Awards – Classes 18–23

Class 18: No Entries

Class 19

1st: Saiya Irvine – Sundown Rivers

2nd: Adelyn Hay – Long Twisty Vines

Highly Commended: Adelyn Hay – Rainbow in the Sky

Class 20

1st: Gemma Quirke – Betsie the Cow

2nd: Ellie Nayler – Beach Style

Class 21

1st: April Quirke – My Aussie Favourites

2nd: April Quirke – The Three Sisters

Highly Commended: Caitlin Nayler – Dolphins of Moonbeam

Class 22

1st: Charlotte Gooding – Actinidia Deliciosa

2nd: Joaquin Mendez – Picture of Me

Highly Commended: Eboni Quirke – Coral Cove

Class 23:

No Placements – As the winner took out the Junior Grand Champion Award.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single person who made this event possible.

A special thank you to our opening night Emcee, Carolyn Tillman, for her warmth, professionalism, and ability to keep the evening flowing so beautifully.

To our Artist Judge, Murray Charteris – your expertise, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback were invaluable. The artists truly appreciated your insights.

To our Bell Art Group Committee – Bev Gibson (President), Jayne Rohrlach (Vice President & Exhibition Administrator), and Jaime Fanning (Secretary/Treasurer & Promotions & Marketing) – your tireless work over many months, often behind the scenes and late into the night, has once again delivered an outstanding exhibition. You are the heart and soul of this group.

To our amazing Bell community volunteers – thank you for giving up your time to cater, man the hall all week, assist with set-up, pull-down, and clean-up. Your generosity and cheerful support made everything run smoothly and created such a welcoming atmosphere.

To our special guests from Western Downs Regional Council – Mayor Cr Andrew Smith and Cr Peter Saxelby – thank you for joining us and for your continued support of the arts in our region.

And of course, to our incredible sponsors – your generosity allows us to keep this wonderful community event alive and thriving. Thank you:

Tilt Renewables • Western Downs Regional Council • Dalby Regional Arts Council • Bell Art Group • Bell Bunya Community Centre • George Hames • Dr Kevin & Jane Sullivan • Bell Butcher Shop • Bell General Store • Murray’s Art & Framing Toowoomba • Bell Tourist Park • Peter & Jayne Lee • Bev Gibson • Phil & Sally Ryan – Andersens Dalby • Rosie’s Fashion Boutique Toowoomba • Gallery 107 Dalby • Bell Care Pharmacy • Graeme Hill • Jon & Leny Gaffney • Mobbs Cattle Co. • Tim Mullins – Activate Accounting Dalby • John & Lyn Cramb • Maree Cameron • Bev Stirling • David Mundt • Alma Dale • Patty Jackson • John & Kate Woodward • George & Jannelle Kocur • Bernice Seton • Ruth Storey • Jean Sorley • Ian Williams • Laffy Tiling • Jaime Fanning • Kerri Haslem • Stephen & Jaime Fisher • The Family of the late Mrs Lil Walker (Graham & Lorraine Edwards)

Prize & Sales monies will be processed and distributed in the near future once the exhibition has fully closed and all sales are finalised. Our volunteers (including the treasurer!) have been fully occupied at the hall all week, so we appreciate your patience – the bank transfers and remittance emails will be on their way very soon.

Thank you again for being part of something truly special. We can’t wait to do it all again in 2027

With gratitude and warmest wishes,

Bell Art Group Inc.

24/02/2026

21/02/2026

What a wonderful afternoon we had yesterday at the Opening of the Annual Bell Art Exhibition 2026! 🎨✨

Over 100 enthusiastic guests joined us, including special guest Mayor Cr Andrew Smith of Western Downs Regional Council. The exhibition is bursting with more than 300 incredible artworks from our talented local and regional artists – truly inspiring stuff!

A huge thank you to our fabulous Emcee Carolyn Tillman for keeping everything flowing smoothly, and to our talented and knowledgeable judge Murray Charteris from Brisbane, who brought such expertise and enthusiasm to the judging process.
Winners will be announced in the coming week – stay tuned for the exciting results!

In the meantime, come along to the free week-long exhibition at Bell Memorial Public Hall (59 Wallace Street, Bell QLD) from Monday 23 Feb to Sunday 1 March.

Thank you to everyone who made this such a special community celebration of creativity and talent. See you at the hall! ❤️

21/02/2026

19/02/2026

FIVE more spots have been opened up due to popular demand!! The workshop takes place this coming Sunday 22 March. Reach out to secure a spot!

UPDATE: we have opened up 5 more spots to this workshop due to popular demand!
Contact us to secure your place. Workshop is this Sunday 22 Feb!

🌿 Calling all artists and creatives 🌿

Meet our incredible judge for the Bell Art Exhibition 2026 – the talented Australian artist Murray Charteris! 🎨✨

Born in Brisbane, Murray is renowned for his vibrant, energy-filled acrylic paintings bursting with bold colours, powerful compositions, and imaginative worlds. From his early days in animation and TV design (including award-winning work at Channel Nine) to running his own gallery in Hervey Bay, he’s built an inspiring career and now shares his passion full-time from his Brisbane studio.

Want to learn directly from him?
Join our exclusive one-day workshop with Murray on Sunday 22 February 2026 at the Bell Bunya Community Centre!
• Cost: $100 (or $70 for Bell Art Group members)
• Only 12 spots available – bookings essential!

Secure your place today and level up your skills in this dynamic, story-telling style of art.

Contact Jaime at the Bell Bunya Community Centre for the materials list and booking form:
📞 07 4663 1087 or 0419 919 7568
📧 [email protected]

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to train under one of Queensland’s most sought-after artists! Who’s ready to create some magic? 🎨💚

15/02/2026

🎨 Entries are now CLOSED – thank you to all our amazing artists! 🎨

We are thrilled to announce that submissions for the Annual Bell Art Exhibition 2026 are final, and we’re gearing up for our wonderful event!

Opening Gala Event & Awards Presentation
📅 Saturday 21 February 2026
🕐 1pm sharp (arrive from 12:30pm)
📍 Bell Bunya Community Centre
Cnr Wallace & Maxwell Streets, Bell QLD 4408
✨ Awards, food & drinks
💰 $15 per person (artists & guests) – cash/EFTPOS at the door
🆓 FREE entry for sponsors

FREE Public Exhibition
📅 Monday 23 February – Sunday 1 March 2026
🕘 9am–3pm daily
📍 Bell Memorial Public Hall
59 Wallace Street, Bell QLD 4408

Come celebrate local talent, view stunning artworks (all for sale), and support our creative community!

For any questions:
📧 [email protected]
📞 07-4663 1087 | 0419 975 968

10/02/2026

🌟 Annual Bell Art Exhibition 2026 – Gala Opening & Awards! 🌟
Join us for a very special afternoon celebrating creativity, talent and community!

This year we’ve moved the event to the afternoon so everyone can enjoy the awards ceremony and get home safely (no more late-night drives on country roads!)

📅 Saturday 21 February 2026
🕐 1:00 pm sharp start – feel free to arrive from 12:30 pm
📍 Bell Bunya Community Centre, Cnr Maxwell & Wallace Streets, Bell QLD

What’s on:
Awards presentation to our talented 2026 artists
Light refreshments & tea
Then venture to Bell Memorial Public Hall to view the full exhibition and browse sale opportunities.

Entry details:
Artists / entrants / general public: $15 at the door (cash or EFTPOS)
Paid sponsors: No entry fee – your name will be marked off at the door (no ticket needed).

Bring your friends, family & supporters – it’s going to be a wonderful celebration of local art!

Please RSVP so we can plan catering & seating:
[email protected]
(or message us here) We can’t wait to see you there! 🎨✨