The first floor of Perc Tucker Regional Gallery will be closed from Monday 19 October until Friday 30 October 2026. The first floor will reopen at 6pm on Friday 30 October 2026 for the joint launch of In the Heart of the North Part 3: The Douglas Kagi Gift, Young Indigenous Printmakers and Transitions.
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery has two floors which contain two main exhibition spaces. On display are works by North Queensland artists, national touring exhibitions and international touring exhibitions.
The Gallery is open to the public without needing a booking.
Exhibition dates: 19 September to 18 October 2026
The Townsville Art Society Inc. is delighted to announce the 71st Townsville Art Society Art Awards. Since its founding, the Townsville Art Society has hosted an annual or biennial art exhibition, and the Art Awards exhibition has become a significant event in the city's cultural scene. Taking place at the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, this exhibition offers North Queensland artists affiliated with an Art Society a chance to showcase their work in a prominent gallery setting while vying for various prizes.
Townsville City Galleries and the Townsville Art Society are excited to announce the category Winners for the 71st Townsville Art Society Art Awards!
Open Award (Sections 1 – 3)
Winner
Lee Kirby, Nature’s tiny guardian II
Prize: $5,000 - Sponsor: Townsville City Council & Townsville City Galleries
Works on Canvas or Board (Section: 1)
Winner
Carole Howlett, Port portrayal
Prize: $1,000 - Sponsor: Explore Property
Works on Canvas or Board (Section: 1)
Highly Commended
Loraine Lowe, A slice of Summer
Prize: $500 - Sponsor: Phase 3 Projects
Works on Paper (Section: 2)
Winner
Elise Edler, Pack it in
Prize: $1,000 - Sponsor: Townsville Art & Framing
Works on Paper (Section: 2)
Highly Commended
Marionne Van Katwijk, Terminus
Prize: $500 - Sponsor: Townsville Art & Framing
3D Works (Section: 3)
Winner
Meredith Yeoman, Fire Sprite
Prize: $1,000 - Sponsor: Utopia Hair & Beauty
3D Works (Section: 3)
Highly Commended
Margaret Crawford, Le bouledogue
Prize: $500 - Sponsor: Utopia Hair & Beauty
Miniatures (Section: 4)
Winner
Mardi Saker, Kapok in the sun
Prize: $500 - Sponsor: McDonald Leong Lawyers
Miniatures (Section: 4)
Highly Commended
Michelle Weaver, In passing
Prize: $250 - Sponsor: Sunshine Metals
Unpacking Room Prize
Winner
Jayne Howlett, What a view
Prize: $250 - Sponsor: Sunshine Metals
Judge’s Special Commendation 1
Winner
Meg Allford, Protected Shore
Prize: $250 Voucher - Sponsor: Cowboys Leagues Club
Judge’s Special Commendation 2
Winner
Lyn Smith, Lunch Break: Elsewhere in thought
Prize: $200 Voucher - Sponsor: A Touch of Salt
Exhibition dates: 19 September 2026 to 17 January 2027
The Short Family Collection brings together ceramic works acquired through sponsorship of the North Queensland Ceramic Awards between 1980 and 2024. First presented in 1973, the Awards have long celebrated excellence in Australian ceramics, with the Short Family’s contribution since 1980 playing a defining role in shaping its acquisitive legacy.
Through successive sponsorships, from the Fourex Clothing Acquisitive Award to the EV2 Sportswear Award, the family has built a four-decade collection that reflects the breadth and evolution of Australian ceramic practice. This selection highlights diverse forms, techniques and approaches, while their continued support through 2026 ensures the ongoing growth of this significant regional collection and the enduring strength of this cultural tradition.
Featured artists include Mollie Bosworth, Robert Burton, Len Cook, Carol Forster, Janine Grose, Chris Guthleben, Leisa Gunton, Connie Hoedt, Bonnie Hislop, Keiko Matsui, Lyndal Moor, Pru Morrison, Jenny Mulcahy, Warren Ogden, Megan Puls, Judith Roberts, Carol Rosser, Frances Smith, Rick Wood and Leonie Wood.
Exhibition dates: 31 October 2026 to 17 January 2027
Part 3 of the In the Heart of the North exhibition celebrates a significant moment in the cultural life of our region: the 2014 Douglas Kagi Gift, a generous donation of 467 artworks to the City of Townsville Art Collection. This remarkable gift represents a diverse and far-reaching survey of artistic practice, spanning both national and international artists. The 40 selected works on display highlight the breadth of the donation, ranging from contemporary explorations of form and colour to acclaimed works by recognised figures in global art. Together, they offer visitors a rare opportunity to encounter the depth and variety of this important collection, and to appreciate the legacy of the Kagi Gift within Townsville City Art Collection.
Friday 30 October 2026
6pm for 6:30pm speeches
Free, no bookings required.
Exhibition dates: 31 October 2026 to 17 January 2027
Young Indigenous Printmakers is a collaborative outreach project run in partnership between Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts and Townsville City Galleries. The free education program gives First Nations senior students the opportunity to learn and experience lino carving, printing and editioning, and gain exhibition experience. The initiative seeks to engage, foster and promote artistic development. School groups participate in a two-day intensive workshop facilitated by a printmaking expert and a First Nations artist. Participants are introduced to printmaking techniques and assisted to explore their Indigenous Culture/s and identity. The first day of the program is held at the school and the second is spent in The Studio at Umbrella. The students’ prints are exhibited in Umbrella’s gallery or at Townsville City Galleries once a semester.
Friday 30 October 2026
6pm for 6:30pm speeches
Free, no bookings required.
Young Indigenous Printmakers is a collaborative outreach project run in partnership between Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts and Townsville City Galleries.
Exhibition dates: 31 October 2026 to 17 January 2027
Transitions is a mentorship-driven program showcasing the creative development of emerging visual artists and arts writers from the Townsville region. Delivered in partnership between Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts and Townsville City Galleries, the program supports five early career practitioners with one on one mentorship, professional development sessions, networking opportunities and group critiques. Mentees deepen their understanding of contemporary arts practice while refining their individual artistic or writing voices.
To celebrate Transitions and its outcomes, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery is pleased to present an end of program exhibition displaying works created by the artist mentees Drosera (Michael Klekar), Matilda Mathieu, Carly Sheil and Ekam Tra (Kate Fulton), alongside writing mentee Sonia Zabala. The exhibition presents new works developed during the mentorships and alternates annually between Umbrella and Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, celebrating the growth, experimentation and ambition of North Queensland’s next generation of arts practitioners.
Friday 30 October 2026
6pm for 6:30pm speeches
Free, no bookings required.
Saturday 31 October 2026
10:30am – 11:30am
Free, no bookings required.
The Transitions program is a partnership between Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts and Townsville City Galleries.
The new City Activation and Housing Incentive Policy is designed to spark investment, activate development and bring fresh energy to our city and suburbs. Council is backing projects that increase housing, enhance our CBD and bring new ideas to life.
Bushfire season is here, and it’s up to all of us to reduce the risk. Clear debris and long grass around your home and fence line, remove fire-hazardous materials, and always check for fire bans before lighting up. Let’s work together to keep our community safe.
Saddle up for Calamity Jane as it brings the Wild West to Townsville Civic Theatre on 9 and 10 October in a bold reimagining of the classic musical, featuring all your favourite songs, including Secret Love and The Black Hills of Dakota.
To keep Townsville growing, Council is actively involved in the delivery of projects to provide vital infrastructure and exciting development opportunities.
Get Ready Townsville is back with a new date this year. Join us on Saturday 10 October from 3-6pm at Riverway. It's a free event packed with practical tips to prepare for cyclones, floods, bushfires and more.
Comments Book
We would love to hear your thoughts about the current exhibitions at the gallery. Your feedback will allow us to directly improve our service delivery to the community.