Call for entries: Australian Wood Design Exhibition 2026

5 February 2026

The National Australian Wood Design exhibition displayed at Orbost Arts Centre, Victoria. Photo courtesy Orbost Arts Centre

The biannual Australian Wood Design exhibition is gearing up once again, and Orbost Arts Centre is delighted to invite woodworkers from across the country to be part of this much-loved and iconic exhibition.

You'll need to be quick however – entries close 28 February 2026.

This celebrated exhibition welcomes everyone from school-age students and enthusiastic amateurs through to experienced professional woodworkers. Whether you are just starting out or have years of practice behind you, there is an award category for you.

Australian Wood Design exhibition displayed at Orbost Arts Centre in 2024. Photo courtesy Orbost Arts Centre

This year 10 awards are up for grabs, ranging from the encouraging Saplings Award for school-age participants through to specialist categories such as Furniture, Turning, Open, Reuse Reduce Recycled, East Gippsland Timber and Talent, Tourist Gift, Amateur with the Major Acquisitive Award valued at $2,000.This piece is then placed in Orbost Art Centre’s National Collection.

The exhibition opens with an awards announcement night on 28 March 2026 and will remain on show until 28 May 2026.

The judges include, Robert Manhal – furniture maker and long-time TAFE teacher furniture design, Ian Johnston – well-known ornamental woodturner, Jane Haussenger – designer of bespoke furniture.

The Australian Wood Design Exhibition stands as the Orbost Arts Centre’s signature exhibition and one of the region’s strongest drawcards attracting visitors from all over Australia.

Entry forms available via www.orbostartscentre.com/wood-design or email admin@orbostexhibitioncentre.com

Photo 1 National Collection