OUR STORY
ABOUT BENTART
Connection through art
Established in the Blue Mountains in 2005, bentART celebrates the work of Australian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and other sexually or gender diverse (LGBTIQA+) visual artists.
Originally founded by three Blue Mountains women, bentART has grown into the largest LGBTIQA+ visual arts event in Australia.
Initially created for artists living in or strongly connected to the Blue Mountains, bentART is now open to LGBTIQA+ artists from across Australia.
OUR MISSION
To encourage, promote and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and other sexually or gender diverse (LGBTIQA+) visual art by holding an Annual Art Exhibition in the Blue Mountains, with entries from emerging and professional LGBTIQA+ artists across Australia.
IN THE GALLERY
Our exhibitions
The annual exhibition is held in the Blue Mountains, NSW.
In 2025, bentART will be presented at Rex-Livingston Art + Objects Gallery in Katoomba. The exhibition opens on the King’s Birthday long weekend on Saturday 7 June and runs daily from 10am – 4pm until Sunday 15 June, closing at 2pm.
bentART has become a highlight of the Blue Mountains’ King’s Birthday long weekend celebrations for the LGBTQIA+ community in New South Wales and beyond.
CURTORS & JUDGES
The creatives behind bentArt
The exhibition is curated and judged by respected members of the Australian arts community.
Previous judges and curators have included:
- Professor Amanda Lawson
Dean, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong - Richard Perram
Director, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery - John Kirkman
Former CEO, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewis Bequest - Ingrid Hayden
Sydney-based painter - Euan MacLeod
Archibald and Sulman Prize winner - Catherine O’Donnell
Working artist
- Matthys Gerber
Senior Lecturer, Painting, Sydney College of the Arts - Dr Sanne Mestrom
Senior Lecturer, Visual Art, Sydney College of the Arts - Lizzy Marshall
Curator, educator and writer - Rebecca Waterstone
Artist and educator - Yvette Hamilton
Interdisciplinary artist and academic
OUR HISTORY
Celebrating queer creativity since 2005.
bentART was originally auspiced by the Mountains Community Resource Network before becoming incorporated under the NSW Associations Act in 2009.
The story of bentART in pictures.
bentART Can Do Story
Proud member of
