Home Wildlife Art Competitions Wildlife Artist of the Year

2026 WAY Winner, Stefano Zagaglia

Wildlife Artist
of the Year 2026

Celebrating a world united by creativity
and a shared love of wildlife.

Meet the 2026 winners

The exceptional artists and artworks recognised
at this year’s awards.

Overall Winner

Evanescence the Biggest – Stefano Zagaglia

Runner Up

Extincts – Alberto Duvivier Tembo

Abstract World Category Winner

Together We Stand – Jane Johansson

Abstract World Luminary Choice

Panthera Pardus Orientalis – Hally Mason

Animal Behaviour Category Winner

After The Rain XX – Tally Walker Warne

Animal Behaviour Luminary Choice

Carry On – Julie Brunn

Earth’s Wild Beauty Category Winner

Cheetah Full Stride – David Sykes

Earth’s Wild Beauty Luminary Choice

The Old Oak Tree – Sarah Lake

Environmental Artivism Category Winner

Home is Where The Honey is – Tom Middleton

Environmental Artivism Luminary Choice

You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Until It’s Gone – Jane Veveris Callan

Facing Extinction Category Winner

If a Tree Falls in the Forest – Jane Habgood

Facing Extinction Luminary Choice

Evanescence the Toughest – Stefano Zagaglia

Into the Blue Category Winner

Endless Life – Chen Hsueh Yen

Into The Blue Luminary Choice

Dolphins in the Blue – Debbie Nelson

Wings Category Winner

Marabou II – Andrew Pledge

Wings Luminary Choice

Murmuration – Ballet of the Sky – Rachel Toll

Youth Exclusive Category Winner

Black Death – Matthew VanDoodewaard

Youth Exclusive Luminary Choice

Bird of Paradise – Ian Je

Leisure Painter & The Artist Editors Choice

Orphaned – Christina Hanke

Hazel Soan Watercolour Award

In the Shallows – Johanna Excell

Explore the Exhibition

Eight categories showcasing the breadth and
diversity of contemporary wildlife art.

Non-figurative expression of issues facing wildlife.

Animal Behaviour

Capturing unique interactions and moments in the wild.

Earth’s Wild Beauty

The awe and majesty of the natural world.

Environmental Artivism

Challenging the world to act through wildlife art.

Facing Extinction

The fight of nature’s last few.

A deep dive into wild waters.

Dedicated to species that can take to the skies.

Youth Exclusive

Showcasing young talent from around the world.

Guest Artists

Meet the specially selected artists invited
to be part of WAY 2026.

Nicole Koleková

Vanessa Barragão

Wildlife Artist of the Year 2026
Exhibition Catalogue

All 164 finalist artworks brought together
in the official WAY 2026 catalogue.

Buy now

A look back at WAY

2025 Exhibition

Visit 2025 gallery

2024 Exhibition

Visit 2024 gallery

The Journey

2023 Exhibition

Visit 2023 gallery