Kenilworth ArtsFest began in 1997 and has grown into the Sunshine Coast’s longest‑running art competition, celebrating visual art, 3D works, poetry and music. What started as a small addition to the Kenilworth Show and Rodeo is now a major cultural event with significant prize offerings and a strong regional following.

The seeds were planted earlier, in 1988, when local residents Glen and Veronika Spicer established the Kenilworth Branch of the Queensland Arts Council. Their efforts sparked a wave of creative activity – touring musicians, theatre, dance, exhibitions and lively arts gatherings that regularly filled Kenilworth House.

By 1998, the first standalone Kenilworth Art Exhibition was staged using borrowed boards and plinths. Its popularity grew so quickly that the event outgrew its venue and became a leading Sunshine Coast art show in its own right. In 1999, the enthusiasm was so strong that Kenilworth was named “Branch of the Year.”

In 2000, the “Kenilworth Celebrates!” art show was launched, later attracting a major $10,000 Mayor’s Prize in 2006 – awarded to Victoria Reichelt, a prominent Australian artist. The event evolved into today’s Kenilworth ArtsFest, expanding its scope to include poetry, performance and, more recently, music. The art show and poetry competition have become beloved features of the festival.

Beyond ArtsFest, the Kenilworth Arts Council continues to champion creativity across the region – collaborating with the Pente Poets on the Sunshine Coast, co-hosting exhibitions, and offering a vibrant calendar of arts-focused social activities for its wide membership.

In 2026, our 28th year of operation, we are looking forward with a host of new events, workshops and inspiring activities planned.

Contact the host of Kenilworth ArtsFest