Local creative Georgie Sambell has cemented her place in the region’s art scene, taking home the city’s most prestigious art accolade for the second time.
The 31-year-old artist won the 2026 Warrnibald Portraiture Prize with her striking watercolour piece, Jacinta. Sambell is no stranger to the winner’s circle; she previously claimed the top prize in 2021 with her portrait of Lex Paton, the beloved accordion player and founder of the charity-raising Irish music group, Lex’s Shed.
This year’s winning subject is Jacinta Lenehan, the driving force behind the Forever Held Foundation—an organisation dedicated to supporting bereaved families by providing complimentary, short-term retreat accommodation.
Expressing her gratitude, Sambell noted that capturing her subject required both patience and precision.
Working with watercolour brought its own set of technical challenges for the artist.
Beyond celebrating local creativity, the Warrnibald Festival of Arts serves a vital community purpose. The annual event raises essential funds for the Warrnambool and District Community Hospice, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing comfort and care for individuals during their end-of-life journey.
The 2026 festival concludes on Wednesday, May 20.
