Since opening, the Gallery has shown more than 400 exhibitions with an average of 30 per year, including 6 which have been curated and toured nationally by the Gallery. Over 65% of exhibitions offered an intriguing insight into the social heritage and culture of Far North Queensland.
The Exhibitions Policy stipulates that 'exhibitions are local, national and international, with local content a high percentage of the program each year'.
Exhibitions on display will offer the community ways of seeing its cultures, environments and histories. Exhibitions will encourage the expression of ideas, attitudes and ambitions - they are about the tradition of art and art in our time, cultural diversity, communication and enjoyment. Exhibitions should offer audiences stimulation and challenging engagement.
The exhibitions curated by Cairns Regional Gallery staff feature the artworks of the Far Northern region, which have toured nationally, including Artists Studio, Escape Artists: Modernists in the Tropics, the highly acclaimed Ilan Pasin (this is our Way) exhibition of Torres Strait Islander art and Home Island, Home Country - a special exhibition of works on paper by young people from communities across Cape York and the Torres Strait, and Encounters with Country: Landscapes of Ray Crooke. Linked Landscapes by Anneke Silver, is currently touring nationally.
The Gallery also presents a broad range of touring exhibitions from regional, state and national museums and galleries throughout the calendar year.
Exhibitions by local artists are developed through LEAP - the Loft Emerging Artists Program. This program, sponsored by the John Villiers Trust, will be directed towards solo artists selected for the program. Through this initiative, the Gallery profiles the work of artists and arts cooperatives throughout Tropical North Queensland. Cairns Regional Gallery calls for expressions of interest from artists each year for an exhibition the following years. Applications for the LEAP 2011 are being solicited now. Closing date for applications is 9 April 2010.
All exhibitions are complimented with an active promotional, educational, advertorial and interpretive program targeting both the local and visitor community to the region.
The Moving Sculpture Project
4 May 2010 - 26 November 2010
An exhibition of sculptural work by 5 local artists which is touring schools in the local region.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Collection Exhibition
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Intertwined: Indigenous Fibre Vessels
21 May 2010 - 15 August 2010
An exhibition of local indigenous fibre-based vessels created by some of the region’s most experienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander weavers, showcasing the importance of this ephemeral arts practice to Australian Art.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Curated Exhibition
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Lunch For The Trades: Ruth Downes
9 July 2010 - 29 August 2010
An exhibition that extends tribute to those who work in the trades – a recognition of talents and expertise undervalued in society. The café style spread of constructed meals is a play on the language and visual delights of modern cuisine intersected with the images of food wrought by each trade.
A Ruth Downes Travelling Exhibition
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Due North: Landscapes From The Collection
23 July 2010 - 24 October 2010
A celebration of the achievements of a select and diverse group of artists who have been inspired to interpret the landscape of tropical North Queensland. Their work has captured the essence of the Far North, a region often on the periphery of our concept of the archetypal Australian landscape.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Collection Exhibition
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ESPLANART
20 August 2010 - 5 September 2010
An al fresco gallery featuring site-specific works.
A Cairns Festival Event
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Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Exhibition 2010
20 August 2010 - 12 September 2010
A selling exhibition of work from established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists born or based in Queensland.
An exhibition curated by CIAF Artistic Director, Michael Snelling
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Pistols & Pavlova: Kristin Tennyson
27 August 2010 - 3 October 2010
Tennyson has created a body of work that explores the sensationalism surrounding past and present criminal culture.
Cairns Regional Gallery Loft Emerging Artists Program
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Attire: Josie Lowerson
3 September 2010 - 24 October 2010
Josie Lowerson presents an exhibition of new sculptural work inspired by the simple act of opening the wardrobe door and experiencing the rush of memories and emotions from the clothing hanging within.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Curated Exhibition.
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64th Cairns Art Society Annual Open Art Exhibition
17 September 2010 - 31 October 2010
The Cairns Art Society’s annual exhibition of works by local, state and national artists.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Community Exhibition Program
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TAFE Visual Arts Students Annual Exhibition
8 October 2010 - 14 November 2010
Graduating and continuing students from the Tropical North Queensland TAFE Visual Arts Department present an exhibition of various media including digital arts, installation, ceramics, and printmaking.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Community Exhibition Program
Zhonjian: Midway
29 October 2010 - 5 December 2010
Leading Australian and Chinese contemporary artists provide insights into questions of personal and cultural identity, and the implications of finding oneself ‘midway’ between cultures.
A Travelling Exhibition from the Wollongong City Gallery.
Hidden Treasures - The 2010 Postcard Show
5 November 2010 - 21 November 2010
The annual postcard show fundraising exhibition with over 100 artworks up for auction. Artworks are by local and national artists and presented on a postcard size canvas.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Fundraising Exhibition
TAFE Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts Students
19 November 2010 - 26 December 2010
Graduating and continuing students from the Tropical North Queensland TAFE ATSI Visual Arts Department present an exhibition of various media.
A Cairns Regional Gallery Community Exhibition Program
The Gallipoli Series: Sidney Nolan
10 December 2010 - 6 February 2011
Throughout his artistic career, Sidney Nolan returned intermittently to the theme of Gallipoli. This series, begun in 1956 is a fitting tribute to his brother’s premature death within the broader context of Australia’s military history.
A Travelling Exhibition from the Australian War Memorial
Please contact us for further information about our exhibition program.
