Bundaberg Regional Council acknowledges the Traditional Country of the Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, and Bailai Peoples and recognises that this country has been and continues to be of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
We recognise the thousands of generations of continuous culture that have shaped this country and the people on it.
We pay respects to Elders, past and present.
Mayor's Message
Welcome to the Winter Program for Bundaberg Regional Galleries.
At Childers Arts Space, we are delighted to welcome State of the Art 25, a contemporary quilt exhibition presented by Queensland Quilters Inc. Opening on 3 May, this vibrant showcase highlights the creativity and craftsmanship of quilters from across the state.
It will be extra special for our community, as quilting continues to thrive in the Bundaberg Region thanks to the passion and dedication of groups like the Bundaberg Quilters. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to experience this inspiring exhibition.
This winter also marks a significant moment in our region’s history. On 23 June, we commemorate 25 years since the tragic Palace Backpacker Hostel fire in Childers.
In honour of the 15 young lives lost, Childers Arts Space will serve as a place of remembrance from 19 June to 17 August. During this time, there will be no formal exhibition; instead, visitors are invited to reflect and leave messages of remembrance.
The Palace Backpacker fire 25-year anniversary commemoration program on 21 June will include a memorial vigil, followed by The Palace Performance, a poignant piece. The gallery will be closed to the public on Monday 23 June, allowing private time for survivors and families.
Bundaberg Regional Galleries serves our community well in celebration and commemoration, and I hope you enjoy and reflect upon these parts of the program and so much more.
Helen Blackburn
Bundaberg Region Mayor
Director's Welcome
As the cooler months approach, Bundaberg Regional Galleries is turning up the heat with a vibrant and thought-provoking Winter Program. Across our five gallery spaces, we are proud to present a season of exhibitions that honour Country and explore our deep connection to the land we live and work on.
We begin this journey with Nicole Jakins’ evocative installation, Wallum Whispers, which immerses audiences in the hauntingly beautiful ecosystem of the Wallum heathland along our east coast. This sensory experience invites visitors to pause, reflect, and connect with this fragile and unique environment.
Continuing the conversation is Carbon_Dating, a compelling exhibition born from collaboration between six teams of scientists, artists, growers, and First Nations informants across Queensland. Through artwork-based experiments, the exhibition draws attention to Australia’s often-overlooked native grasses, highlighting their ecological and cultural significance.
Rounding out our trio of land-focused exhibitions is I Know a Place, an imaginative and interactive installation created in partnership with Dead Puppet Society. This sculptural map invites community members to mark the places that hold personal meaning, creating a collective storyscape that celebrates the Bundaberg Region’s rich tapestry of memories and identities.
At Bundaberg Regional Galleries, our mission is to spark conversations, celebrate community and honour the stories of our region. I warmly invite you to explore this powerful suite of exhibitions and be part of the journey.
Rebecca McDuff
Gallery Director
EXHIBITIONS
Big Sculpture
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
12 April to 12 July
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Gallery One
Art walk: Wednesday 28 May | 10 am
The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair's Big Sculpture touring exhibition is a captivating showcase, presenting the cultural talents of emerging and prominent artists. The exhibition promises an immersive visual journey through the diverse narratives woven by Indigenous artists, transcending boundaries and embracing a rich tapestry of perspectives.
At the heart of this exhibition are large-scale commissioned works that stand as testaments to their artists' profound connection to culture, land, and heritage. Through the masterful use of modern and repurposed materials, the sculptures not only reflect artistic prowess but also echo a commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Viewers are invited to explore a kaleidoscope of stories, each sculpture telling a unique tale deeply rooted in Queensland's cultural landscape. The juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary elements allows for a nuanced exploration of Indigenous identity and the evolution of artistic expression over time, highlighted by the resilience and creativity of Queensland's leading contemporary First Nations artists like Brian Robinson, Shirley Macnamara, Mavis Benjamin, Toby Cedar, Dr. David Jones, Alma Norman, Marlene Norman, Hans Ahwang, Ian Waldron and Rhonda Woolla.
From the striking layering of Brian Robinson's work to the powerful narratives of country conveyed by Shirley Macnamara's piece, the Big Sculpture touring exhibition promises a thought-provoking and visually stunning experience, celebrating the richness of First Nations artistry in Queensland.
This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Alma Norman, Marlene Norman, Mavis Benjamin, Jumping Barramundi, 2022, ghost net, rope, twine over steel frame. Photo Credit: Michael Marzik.
Alma Norman, Marlene Norman, Mavis Benjamin, Jumping Barramundi, 2022, ghost net, rope, twine over steel frame. Photo Credit: Michael Marzik.
Nicole Jakins, Wallum Pool, 2025, embossed aluminium (detail).
Nicole Jakins, Wallum Pool, 2025, embossed aluminium (detail).
Wallum Whispers
Nicole Jakins
12 April to 12 July
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
The Vault
Art walk: Wednesday 30 April | 10 am
Wallum Whispers by multidisciplinary artist Nicole Jakins explores the delicate, often unnoticed dialogue between the elements of nature, embodied through sculptural works crafted from a limited palette of silvery hues. The inspiration for this exhibition is the Wallum country, a coastal heathland where land and water coalesce in a dynamic, fragile harmony.
This series of sculptures draws on the subtle whispers of nature, the quiet movement of its inhabitants, the gentle flow of tannin-rich waters, and the slow, steady erosion of time.
Nicole has had her work curated into many environmentally themed group exhibitions held in Queensland, NSW, and ACT, and in 2024, completed Quiet, my soul, an artist in residency program researching the botanical diversity surrounding the Maroochy Botanic Gardens Arts and Ecology centre.
Wallum Whispers is Nicole's first solo exhibition with Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, and she draws on her extensive arts practice to deliver an installation that invites the viewer to form a deepened awareness of the natural world and its quiet, yet powerful, presence.
Neon Coral Confetti
Lisa Ashcroft
12 April to 5 July
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Gallery Two
Neon Coral Confetti by artist Lisa Ashcroft explores environmental stewardship and the artificial regeneration of the Great Barrier Reef.
The artworks in this exhibition encourage the viewer to consider their responsibility as the guardians of the environment for future generations.
The bittersweet irony is evident: while human actions have contributed to the destruction of the Reef, those same hands are now crucial in using scientific advances, such as synthetic cloning to restore it.
Lisa's use of a bright texture-rich palette, in an abstract expressionistic style, draws the viewers inside the painting's intricate pattern and details in a deliberate act to open critical conversation about the Reef, the importance of sustainable practices and the ongoing battle against climate change.
Lisa Ashcroft, Coral Confetti, 2024, oil on canvas.
Lisa Ashcroft, Coral Confetti, 2024, oil on canvas.
Jan Hutchison, Sunset over Damaraland, Namibia, 2024, cotton fabric, crochet thread, cotton threads, 77 x 53 cm.
Jan Hutchison, Sunset over Damaraland, Namibia, 2024, cotton fabric, crochet thread, cotton threads, 77 x 53 cm.
State of the Art 25
Queensland Quilters Inc
1 May to 15 June
Childers Arts Space
Opening event: Saturday 3 May | 12 pm
Art walk: Thursday 22 May | 10 am
State of the Art (SOTA) is an annual juried and judged exhibition of textile art by members of Queensland Quilters Inc.
The 2025 exhibition, SOTA 25, was juried by Zara Zannettino, with Lorraine Carthew and Carley Cornelissen serving as judges.
The exhibition tours regional galleries throughout Queensland, offering audiences the opportunity to engage with contemporary textile art. A wide range of techniques is showcased in SOTA 25 including painting, printing, eco-dyeing, collage, and both hand and machine stitching.
Through this exhibition, Queensland Quilters Inc. aims to unite art quilters, celebrate their talents, and highlight the evolving role of art quilts as a recognised art form.
I Know a Place
Dead Puppet Society
28 April to 6 September
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Imaginarts
Dead Puppet Society's I Know A Place invites audiences to celebrate the regions they call home, by recognising special places.
This participatory installation combines quiet contemplation with a delightful, hands-on art activity; a unique and rewarding interaction for locals and visitors alike.
Come along and share a story of a place in Bundaberg that means something to you!
I Know a Place installation image. Image: Katie Bennett.
I Know a Place installation image. Image: Katie Bennett.
Hilary Coulter, POV, 2023, cotton embroidery on tulle, wooden hoops, magnets, wooden boards.
Hilary Coulter, POV, 2023, cotton embroidery on tulle, wooden hoops, magnets, wooden boards.
Carbon_Dating
18 July to 6 September
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Gallery One
Opening event: Friday 18 July | 5.30 pm
Artist talk: Saturday 19 July | 10 am
Carbon_Dating presents a series of artwork-based experiments that aim to generate interest in Australia's often endangered native grasses.
The exhibition tracks how the project assembled six teams of scientists, artists, growers and First Nations informants across Queensland from Miles, Gold Coast, Somerset, Samford Valley, Sunshine Coast and Cairns during 2022-23 to grow and care for their own plot of native grasses.
Exhibiting artists include Delissa Walker Ngadijina, Jason Murphy, Pipier Weller, Merinda Davies, Hilary Coulter, Liz Capelin, Melissa Stannard, Kilagi Nielsen, Mia Hacker, Sasha Parlett, donna davis, Andrea Higgins, Danielle Constance, Luke Lickfold and Keith Armstrong.
The 2024-25 Carbon_Dating exhibition tour is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, assisted by QUT School of Creative Practice, International Art Services (IAS), Native Seeds Pty Ltd, Artfully and Embodied Media.
Repeating gestures of becoming
Charmaine Lyons
18 July to 6 September
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
The Vault
Opening event: Friday 18 July | 5.30 pm
Expressed through sculptural and photographic works, this latest solo exhibition Repeating gestures of becoming by Charmaine Lyons explores themes of identity, loss, and recovery through a feminist lens.
Breathing life into the tale 'The Handless Maiden', Charmaine delves into the female psyche at a scale both personal and universal, paying homage to the resilience of a soul.
Charmaine Lyons, Repeating gestures of becoming (detail), 2023/24, photographic and ceramic.
Charmaine Lyons, Repeating gestures of becoming (detail), 2023/24, photographic and ceramic.
Cassie Arnold, Mom Bra installation view.
Cassie Arnold, Mom Bra installation view.
The Mom Bra
Cassie Arnold
18 July to 30 August
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Gallery Two
Opening event: Friday 18 July | 5.30 pm
Artist talk: Saturday 19 July | 11.30 am
The Mom Bra series is by US based artist, Cassie Arnold, and stands today as a rejection of the unrealistic portrayal of the female form.
Decades of perfectly airbrushed and digitally altered photos in the media have set unrealistic and unattainable body standards. This work, in comparison, is a form of gentle protest against those expectations. Mom Bras celebrate the natural curves, scars, wrinkles, hairs, and textures of our breasts and help us tell the story of who we collectively are as women.
Hand knit with soft wool, the Mom Bras are an invitation to discuss the complexities of a life with breasts. Maybe you will see your exhausted sister or your grandmother’s scars. Maybe you will see yourself and feel connected and proud. Maybe this series will be educational and allow you the chance to see bodies that are different from your own for the first time. The hope of the exhibition is to honour the unique qualities of all women regardless of size, shape, colour, or identity.
Cassie Arnold uses traditional fibre techniques, like hand-knitting, in her contemporary artworks to explore the unspoken and taboo topics connected to her life as a woman and a caregiver. She received her BFA in Visual Art Studies from the University of North Texas, and her work has been showcased in Fiberart International where she received First Prize, the Ashurst Art prize in London, Mother Art Prize in London, Brith Rites Collection at Kings college, Fantastic Fibers International Exhibition and numerous other exhibitions in the United States and Europe. This is Cassie's first Australian-based exhibition.
25 Year Anniversary: Palace Memorial
19 June to 17 August
Childers Arts Space
23 June 2025 marks 25 years since the fire at the Palace Backpackers Hostel, Childers, that took the lives of 15 young people from Australia and overseas.
The Palace Backpackers Memorial is housed within Childers Arts Space, and comprises a Memorial Wall by Sam Di Mauro containing 15 memory boxes each dedicated to one of the victims, and a portrait Taking a Break in the Field by Josonia Palaitis.
Over the two month period encompassing the anniversary date, Childers Arts Space will be a quiet reflection place where visitors will be able to leave messages of remembrance for the victims, their families, and survivors.
Sam Di Mauro, Palace Backpackers Memorial.
Sam Di Mauro, Palace Backpackers Memorial.
EVENTS
Art Walk with Nicole Jakins, Wallum Whispers
Wednesday 30 April | 10 am
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Free, no booking required
Join artist Nicole Jakins as she speaks with Gallery Director, Rebecca McDuff, about her latest exhibition Wallum Whispers.
Using sculptural forms to explore the often unnoticed dialogue between the elements of nature, Nicole's latest body of work is inspired by Wallum Country - a coastal heathland recognised throughout our region.
In this Art Walk, Nicole will delve into her connection with this landscape, and the way that her arts practice has developed in sync with the environments she has explored.
Free entry
All welcome
Twilight Artisan Market
Friday 9 May | 4 - 7 pm
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Gallery Park
Free, no booking required
As the sun sets and the stars begin to twinkle, immerse yourself in the Twilight Artisan Market, timed to coincide with Mother's Day weekend.
Stroll through the market under the soft glow of fairy lights and lanterns, and browse a stunning array of handcrafted products, one-of-a-kind artworks and exquisite goods, perfect for gifting or as a treat for yourself!
To further enhance the evening, musicians Stella Hutchins and Isaac Maher will be performing throughout the night.
Our Twilight Artisan Markets are always a wonderful way to connect with makers from across our region, so don't miss this great event!
Free entry
All welcome
Art Walk: State of the Art
Thursday 22 May | 10 am
Childers Arts Space
Free, no booking required
Join Gallery Director, Rebecca McDuff, as she leads our Art Walk at the Childers Arts Space, focused on the State of the Art (SOTA) 25 exhibition.
Rebecca will share the background of this resoundingly popular textile prize, and the importance of Queensland Quilters Inc. in touring it throughout the state.
This is a lively and informative way to enjoy the exhibition for art lovers with all levels of knowledge, and concludes with morning tea utilising the Galleries' vintage teacup collection.
Free entry
All welcome
Creative Crowd with Larissa Dabrowski
Friday 23 May | 5.30 pm
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
$65 | booking required
Join multidisciplinary artist Larissa Dabrowski for a night of fun as she leads you down the rabbit hole of repurposing materials to create a quirky animal assemblage.
Surrounded by the CIAF Big Sculpture exhibition you will learn assemblage techniques, explore sustainable arts practices and create your own reimagined regal rabbit. Larissa will show you how to frame, bulk, adorn, set and finish your repurposed materials to create these original sculptures.
In addition to utilising repurposed materials specially sourced for the evening, participants are encouraged to bring any items they would like to incorporate into their creation.
No experience required; all materials supplied.
Connecting Creatives: The Art of Marketing
Tuesday 27 May | 5.30 - 7 pm
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Free, booking required
Unlock your creative potential with Connecting Creatives: The Art of Marketing, an engaging workshop designed to help artists elevate their marketing game and grow their personal brand.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, mastering the art of storytelling and self-promotion is more important than ever. Join industry experts Katarina Lottchen, Trudie Leigo, Jess Newitt, and Jolene Watson for an interactive and collaborative evening.
Connect with fellow creatives, share ideas and gain fresh perspectives on marketing your art.
Art Walk: Big Sculpture
Wednesday 28 May | 10 am
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Free, no booking required
Led by Gallery Director, Rebecca McDuff, our Art Walk in May is about all things Big Sculpture!
Featuring the work of leading contemporary First Nations artists like Brian Robinson, Shirley Macnamara, Mavis Benjamin, Toby Cedar, Dr. David Jones, Alma Norman, Marlene Norman, Hans Ahwang, Ian Waldron and Rhonda Woolla, this exhibition is rich with narrative.
Join us to hear more about the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and the incredible commissioned sculptures currently exhibited at the Gallery.
Art Walks are an enjoyable and informative way to learn more about our exhibitions, and all levels of art knowledge are welcome. The Art Walk is concluded with morning tea in the Galleries' vintage tea cup collection.
Free entry
All welcome
Painting Masterclass: Abstract Landscape Painting with Kym Barrett
Sunday 15 June | 10 am
Bundaberg School of Arts
$150 | Booking required
In this masterclass, led by artist Kym Barrett, participants will use charcoal sticks, charcoal powder and cold wax medium, focussing on developing dynamic abstract compositions using vibrant tonal contrasts, and expressive personal mark-making.
Students will learn new application and deconstruction techniques with this luscious medium.
No experience required; all materials supplied.
Teacher Professional Development
Wednesday 25 June | 5-8 pm
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
$65 | booking required
As part of Bundaberg Regional Galleries' commitment to arts education, we are offering a series of Teacher Professional Development sessions throughout 2025.
These sessions have been developed by an experienced senior arts educator to assist primary and secondary teachers with the integration of the arts into the learning environment.
Including practical and hands-on activities, as well as printed resources, these sessions are aimed at participants with all levels of teaching and arts experience.
In Conversation: Beth Jackson, Carbon_Dating
Saturday 19 July | 10 am
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Free, no booking required
As part of the opening weekend celebrations for Carbon_Dating we are hosting an 'In Conversation' event with curator Beth Jackson.
Beth is a curator of contemporary art with over 25 years of experience and owner of 'Artfully' - an arts consultancy with a specialist focus in placemaking and art for the public realm.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Beth about her career, as well as the unique process behind the development of this exhibition, and the importance of each artist's individual contribution.
Free entry
All welcome
In Conversation: Cassie Arnold, The Mom Bra
Saturday 19 July | 11.30 am
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Free, no booking required
Bundaberg Regional Galleries is very excited to have Cassie Arnold joining us via Zoom from her studio in Texas to discuss the inspiration behind The Mom Bra series and her incredible fibre-based arts practice.
Cassie's work has garnered much attention world-wide for its use of traditional fibre techniques to challenge cultural narratives, and this is a one-off opportunity to find out more about her practice and ask questions of this award winning artist.
Free entry
All welcome
Childers Festival Workshop
Friday 25 July | 9.30 to 11.30 am
Russo Nature Park, Childers
$15 | Booking required
Join Childers-based artist, Kym Connell , as she leads you on a nature-based art journaling experience, designed to encourage you to slow down, open your senses and observe the finer details of the natural world around you.
Based at Russo Nature Park - a picturesque space containing a wide diversity of local native trees, shrubs and wildlife - this workshop is perfect for beginners through to those with advanced art skills. The focus is on drawing, experimenting with different art materials and receiving tuition on how to journal in nature.
Please note that this workshop does involve walking through the Russo Nature Park (max. 1.5km return journey).
What to bring: Please be sun smart, bring water, wear comfortable enclosed walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. It is also suggested that you bring a small portable stool or picnic blanket for longer periods of drawing.
Each participant will be provided with a hand-made art journal, pencil and ink pen. A variety of other art materials will be provided in the workshop for experimentation.
Art Walk with Charmaine Lyons, Repeating gestures of becoming
Wednesday 30 July | 10 am
Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
Free, no booking required
Join Gallery Director, Rebecca McDuff, as she chats to artist, Charmaine Lyons about her exhibition Repeating gestures of becoming.
This is a lively and informative way to enjoy the Gallery for art lovers with all levels of knowledge, and to hear more about our artists and their arts practice.
The Art Walk concludes with morning tea utilising the Galleries' vintage teacup collection.
Free entry
All welcome
VISIT
Slow Looking Cards
Did you know that, on average, people only spend 17 seconds looking at an artwork? Let's change that!
Use our 'Slow Looking' cards next time you are in the gallery to enhance your experience and spark conversation.
Try taking just 3-5 minutes to observe an artwork slowly and thoughtfully. Engage your senses, and you'll start noticing more! Art is meant to be experienced, not just looked at.
There are three colours of cards: 'Blue' are great for beginners; 'Yellow' help you to think more creatively; and 'Pink' will make you think more deeply. These cards are a new initiative for Bundaberg Regional Galleries, and we look forward to your feedback!
Gallery Trails
Bundaberg Regional Galleries welcomes visitors of all ages, and our Gallery Trails are a fun way for young visitors to explore the exhibitions.
Designed by an arts educator specifically for our exhibitions, they feature drawing, writing, and responding activities to do in the gallery spaces.
All materials are supplied, and Gallery Trails are free to enjoy. Make sure you ask for yours at the front desk next time you visit!
Gallery Shops
Discover a curated selection of unique products at the Gallery Shops, located at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and Childers Arts Space.
Our well-stocked shops feature distinctive items crafted by talented artisans from our region, across Queensland, and beyond. Whether you are in search of the perfect gift or just in need of some retail therapy, you can't go past our range of jewellery, books, textiles, homewares, and clothing.
There are also exclusive product lines linked to exhibitions, exhibition catalogues and fun merchandise, so make sure to add the Gallery Shops to your retail itinerary!
Local funding available for creative projects
The Regional Arts Development Fund provides support for arts projects and activities. Areas of support include individual professional development, workshops, innovative arts development, creative industry development and initiatives.
Find out how a RADF grant can make your project idea a reality. Visit our website today.
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