The official word on the street is that this year’s Australian Body Art Festival was in the stratosphere! Sixty competitors from around the nation embraced this year’s theme of ‘Other Words’ and put on a colourful show for close to 10,000 spectators in Cooroy over the weekend.

Some of Australia’s best body artists, face painters, visual artists and wearable art designers created and paraded their masterpieces across five competition categories. And added to this super charged art show were some amazing entertainers including the likes of Aerial Dreaming on the silks, the Mask Family street performers, Nova Star stilt walkers, Gubbi Gubbi Dance and a host of musical and dance entertainment as well.

The theme drew a wide range of interpretations across all competition categories and some truly incredible art emerged.

“We are overjoyed with the success of this year’s festival. It was the biggest and best yet with something happening at any time in every corner of the festival. We are very proud of the wonderful community of volunteers and sponsors that support this event – we have created something truly unique and amazing and we intend to nurture that in the future,” said event manager, Danielle Taylor.

“The artists were under pressure to create their masterpieces within the defined time limits of the competitions, yet all had smiles on their faces and said they really enjoyed themselves,” Danielle said.

The prize-winners for 2019 were:

Brush & Sponge BODY ART
Winner & People’s Choice: Kristy O’Neil from Adelaide, SA

Runner Up: Lorna Nickels from Adelaide, SA

Airbrush BODY ART
Winner: Ryan Cribbin from Katoomba, NSW
Runner Up & People’s Choice: Fran Catford from Buderim, Queensland

SPECIAL EFFECTS BODY ART
Winner: Gina Nomachi from Brunswick, Vic

Runner Up & People’s Choice: Nadia Vanek from Brisbane, Qld

Face Painting

Winner: Yenni Redding from Darwin, NT
Runner Up: Lorna Nickels from Adelaide, SA

People’s Choice: Grace O’Neil from Adelaide, SA (11 years old)

The Bendigo Bank Wearable Art (fabulous fashion made from recycled treasures)

Winner: Larisa Salton from Nambour, Qld

Runner Up & People’s Choice: Belinda Kuhlewein from Wamuran, Qld

Highly Commended – Lorien Dalcastello from Cedar Pocket, Qld

BEST MODEL

Saturday: Eryn Smith from Brisbane, Qld

Sunday: Simon Lyell from Brisbane, Qld

If you missed the fun or just want to relieve it, make sure you follow the website www.australianbodyart.com.au or Facebook @AustralianBodyArtFestival for more information and photos.

This festival is run by the volunteers at Cooroy Chamber of Commerce with sponsorships from Eumundi & District Historical Association, Tourism Noosa, Cooroy Community Bank Branch of Bendigo Bank, Wythes Real Estate, Noosa Outback, Sunshine Coast Daily, Outback Queensland Tourism, Wattle Media, Cooroy Supa IGA, Fiducian Financial Services, Face Paint Shop Australia, Regional Training Services Qld, Sunny Coast Accountants, Mehron Australia, Face Paints Australia, The Looney Bin, Derivan, RACV Noosa, SPV Accounting, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Gelignite Jacks, Black Ant Gourmet, Firefly Solutions, Junkies Magazine, The Blacksmiths, Cooroy Menswear & Jeanery, Original Eumundi Markets, Geoff Cook Signs, Mudputty, Not Just Another Salon, and Fairytale Events & Equip4Hire.