Four weeks left to turn waste into art
Published on 17 September 2026
- Residents have just four weeks left to enter Waste to Art 2026
- A dedicated Wearable Art Fashion Showcase will be held on 7 November in Maryborough
- More than $5,000 prize pool up for grabs, entries closing on 16 October
Fraser Coast residents are being encouraged to get creative, with entries for this year’s Waste to Art competition closing in a month.
“Waste to Art is a fantastic opportunity to give items destined for landfill a second life while showcasing the creativity of our community,” she said.
“We’ve already received some impressive entries, including works made from 11,000 plastic bottle caps, wooden offcuts and recycled match sticks to create a scouts camp.
“School holidays are the perfect time to start collecting materials, visit your local tip shop for inspiration and get creating before entries close 16 October.”
Cr Byrne said the 2025 exhibition featured 114 artworks and 23 wearable art creations, with the top Over 18s prize a striking plastic mosaic highlighting the issue of microplastic consumption.
“Due to the growing popularity of the Wearable Art category, this year’s entries will be showcased in a dedicated Waste to Art Fashion Showcase at the Brolga Theatre, Maryborough on 7 November,” she said.
“This reflects the increasing interest in wearable art and highlights the importance of reducing textile waste, one of Australia’s fastest growing waste streams.
“Last year’s wearable art entries featured everything from a striking dress made entirely from recycled denim to designs using storage bags, bubble wrap, sponges and reused curtains.”
Arts spokesperson Cr Sara Souvlis said the exhibition opening night on 14 November would bring together all entries across the competition.
“The standard of entries we’ve seen so far has been exceptional and we’re looking forward to seeing even more creative works submitted in the coming weeks,” she said.
“A prize pool of $5,000 in Buy Local Gift Cards is on offer thanks to the support of Hyne Timber, Cleanaway, the Reuse & Recycle Group and Nugrow.”
Entry is free, with six categories available:
- 18 years and over
First prize: $1,500 | Second: $500 | Third: $350
- 12 to 17 years
First prize: $300 | Second: $150 | Third: $100
- 8 to 11 years
First prize: $200 | Second: $100 | Third: $75
- Under 8 years
First prize: $150 | Second: $75 | Third: $50
- Wearable Art (18 years and over)
First prize: $500 | Second: $250
- Wearable Art (under 18 years)
First prize: $150 | Second: $100
- People’s Choice award
18+: $300 | Under 18: $150
- First-place winners in the Wearable Art category will also receive two Gallery Tickets to the 2027 Australian Wearable Art Festival on the Sunshine Coast, proudly gifted by Australian Wearable Art.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Resource Recovery spokesperson Cr Michelle Byrne said the popular competition challenged people of all ages to transform unwanted materials into artworks and wearable fashion pieces.
Cr Souvlis said the community will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite piece in the People’s Choice Award during the exhibition.
Entries are open until 16 October, with artworks to be exhibited from 14 November at Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough.
Residents can enter or find out more at www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/waste-to-art