Art in Motion, an initiative of Warrnambool Mazda, the Warrnambool Art Gallery (WAG) and Cassign, involved artists creating a design portraying what they love about the region, to be  emblazoned on a new Mazda 3.

Young Melbourne illustrator Luka Va was named the winner at the competition’s launch on Friday at the WAG.

Dealer principal at Warrnambool Mazda Allan Marsh said 29 entries were received and more than 5000 people viewed the artworks on the dedicated Facebook page.

“Based on the results of votes on the Facebook page, the top five voted for went through to the finals,” Mr Marsh said.

“They were judged on several criteria; one being relevance to south-west Victoria ... artistic flair and the ability to recreate this in a three-dimensional fashion.”

The car will be exhibited at the gallery until late April before travelling around Victoria as a tourism promotional tool.

WAG front-of-house co-ordinator Oksana Khaidurova said Va entered just for fun and was surprised to be named the winner.

“She said she had travelled to Warrnambool before and remembers it as a very relaxed, sunny place with fishing and surfing and camping,” Ms Khaidurova said.

“She did illustrations showing what people can enjoy in Warrnambool. You walk around the car and it tells a story.

“It makes you want to go to the south-west and see the people here relaxed and happy.”

Va received a $2500 cash prize from Warrnambool Mazda and runners-up received $1000 and $500 service vouchers.