EXHIBITIONS
The UMI Arts Gallery in Manoora, Cairns, holds five exhibitions every year featuring the artwork and crafts of our talented member artists. Each exhibition has a different theme and rationale, and showcases artists at different stages of their artistic career, from emerging to established. All gallery artworks are available for viewing and purchase in the online shop, and you can also view past exhibition catalogues below!
open applications
EXHIBITION: Freshwater Saltwater
UMI Arts group members exhibition – open to significant new artworks by mid-career, established and senior artists
EXHIBITION: The Summer Show
UMI Arts group members exhibition – open to all artists, works in any medium
2025 ART FAIRS
We are seeking new artwork, artefacts, giftware and homeswares to tour to Art Fairs and Markets. Give our friendly Retail Officer a call on (07) 4041 6152 to find out more!
upcoming Exhibtion
Culture Through Our Eyes
FIRST NATIONS YOUTH EXHIBITION
Opening 9th May 2025
Culture Through Our Eyes is a vibrant annual group exhibition celebrating the talents of young First Nations artists from Cairns and surrounding communities. The exhibition presents the works of 19 talented students, featuring 31 artworks. Each student shares their unique approach to conveying emotions and stories through various mediums, including acrylic paintings, photography, lino prints, and lino block prints on fabrics. The artworks illustrate the harmonious connection between traditional and modern interpretations within the Young First Nation visual art movement from FNQ and the Torres Strait Islands.
current Exhibtion
‘YOU & ME’
“You & Me” is a curated group exhibition featuring UMI Arts member artists, held at the beginning of each year. The exhibition aims to showcase the artistic passion and poetic strength involved in preserving and sharing First Nations stories in a unique and compelling way. Together, our voices carry more weight, ensuring that future generations honour and maintain our traditions and culture. This year, the exhibition features fifteen acrylic paintings on canvas from six established First Nations artists.
FEATURED ARTISTS
Esmae BOWEN
(Gugu Thaypan / Guugu Yimithirr, Hopevale)
(Gugu Thaypan / Guugu Yimithirr, Hopevale)
Wanda GIBSON
(Nugal Warra / Guugu Yimithirr, Hopevale)
(Nugal Warra / Guugu Yimithirr, Hopevale)
Shane GIBSON
(Guugu Yimithirr /Thuubii, Bindhi and Bulgun warra, Hopevale)
(Guugu Yimithirr /Thuubii, Bindhi and Bulgun warra, Hopevale)
Daisy HAMLOT
(Thuppi Warra / Guugu Yimithirr, Hopevale)
(Thuppi Warra / Guugu Yimithirr, Hopevale)
Peter KULLA KULLA
(Umpala / Lama Lama, Northern Peninsula Area (NPA))
(Umpala / Lama Lama, Northern Peninsula Area (NPA))
Kassandra SAVAGE
(Waanyi / Kurtijar, Cairns)
(Waanyi / Kurtijar, Cairns)
EXHIBITION OPEN 7 March – 29 April 2025
PAST Exhibtions
The Summer Show
The Summer Show is an annual exhibition of UMI Arts member
artists, whose works reflect the dynamic, electrical energy of a
northern summer. Across the Far North we feel the temperature
building in this late part of the year, and in the tropics we start to
feel also the water in the air, the storms and rains we know are to
come.
artists, whose works reflect the dynamic, electrical energy of a
northern summer. Across the Far North we feel the temperature
building in this late part of the year, and in the tropics we start to
feel also the water in the air, the storms and rains we know are to
come.
EXHIBITION OPEN 22 NOV 2024 – 22 FEB 2025
2024 ‘Exhibition-Ready’ Graduate Exhibition
Jinneecka Don
& Cecelia Slade
UMI Arts is proud to present two inaugural solo exhibitions
by our 2024 ‘Exhibition Ready’ Program Graduates,
JINNEECKA DON and CECELIA SLADE.
Since 2023, these two member artists have been thoughtfully building bodies of works inspired by their own memories and experiences. Each of our annual exhibitions holds a special place in our hearts, but the Graduates Exhibition brings a unique joy. It’s a moment to witness emerging artists take a bold step toward their first solo showcase, and to see their confidence and artistry flourish.
by our 2024 ‘Exhibition Ready’ Program Graduates,
JINNEECKA DON and CECELIA SLADE.
Since 2023, these two member artists have been thoughtfully building bodies of works inspired by their own memories and experiences. Each of our annual exhibitions holds a special place in our hearts, but the Graduates Exhibition brings a unique joy. It’s a moment to witness emerging artists take a bold step toward their first solo showcase, and to see their confidence and artistry flourish.
EXHIBITION OPEN 27 SEPT – 7 NOV 2024
freshwater saltwater
group members exhibition
Freshwater Saltwater, a highly anticipated annual curated group exhibition, is a vibrant celebration of the diverse artistic expressions of Far North Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities. The exhibition is based around the holistic existence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Freshwater represents the Aboriginal nations of Far North Queensland, with rivers flowing across the land and through the rainforest from coastal Cardwell to the Cape York Peninsula. Saltwater represents the Island nations and Torres Straight people, surrounded by the ocean.
This year, UMI Arts showcases fourteen established artists across the region, with over twenty-four artworks in large formats, with jewellery with the same theme and inspiration.
EXHIBITION OPEN 12 JULY – 12 SEPTEMBER 2024
culture
through our eyes
first nations youth exhibition
‘Culture Through our Eyes’ is the third annual First Nations youth exhibition @ UMI Arts Gallery, showcasing the talent and creativity of the young people of the region. 14 young emerging artists have created 27 new artworks responding to their concept and view of culture.
Come and join us to help celebrate these deadly emerging artists!
EXHIBITION OPEN 24TH MAY – 28th JUNE 2024
you & me
The ‘You and Me’ exhibition is an annual group members exhibition at UMI Arts, open to work in any medium and artists at any level of their artistic practice (emerging, mid-career or established). The exhibition is designed to showcase the rich artistic diversity present in the First Nations art and culture of Far North Queensland. ‘Umi’ is a Creole word that means ‘You and Me’. This is significant as we believe that we need to work together to keep our culture strong. In 2024 we are proud to present 30 new artworks by 15 first Nations artists from across Far North Queensland.
Exhibition Open 15 March – 10 May 2024
the summer show
With over new 45+ pieces collected in the UMI Arts gallery, created by 19 ouf our member artists, ‘The Summer Show’ is a colourful celebration of First Nations culture and the incredibly diverse environment we experience here in the Far North. Paintings on canvas and bark, multi-media sculptures, and a line of beautiful polymer clay jewelery inspired by the nature. Come along to give your eyes a treat, support our local First Nations artists, and maybe pick up a unique Christmas gift for someone special ! 
Exhibition open 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday
10 November 2023- 23 February 2024
Please note the UMI Arts Gallery will be closed from
15 December 2023- 15 January 2024
freshwater saltwater
7 July – 31 August 2023
UMI Arts are pleased to present our tenth annual Freshwater Saltwater exhibition, showcasing the rich diversity and artistic talent of Far North Queensland’s artists. Freshwater Saltwater is a curated group exhibition for new major artworks created by our most senior and established member artists. Featuring 18 artworks in a range of mediums by nine of the region’s best-known artists, Freshwater Saltwater has already attracted the attention of art lovers and collectors and is your chance for first views and bids for significant artworks.
culture through our eyes
first nations youth exhibition
26 May – 26 June 2023
‘Culture Through our Eyes’ is the second annual First Nations youth exhibition @ UMI Arts Gallery, showcasing the talent and creativity of the young people of the region. 15 young artists have created a colourful collection of works on canvas, inspired by their own homelands, culture and experience.
