Join the Celebration: Community Gallery Opening Set for Thursday 4 June

What: Community Gallery Official Opening  When: 6pm-8pm Thursday 4 June 2026 Where: 192 Main Street, Proserpine RSVP: Free and open to all. RSVP by Tuesday 2 June

Creative Connections Whitsundays (CCW) is inviting the community to celebrate a major cultural milestone — the official opening of the Community Gallery, the first dedicated community art gallery in the Whitsunday region.

The opening marks the beginning of a new creative chapter for the region, establishing a permanent space for exhibitions, workshops, events, and artistic connection in the heart of Proserpine.

As a new cultural hub for the region, CCW's Community Gallery has been created to celebrate local artists and community creativity while providing a welcoming place to showcase local talent, foster connection, and grow the Whitsundays’ cultural life.

The Gallery will open at 6pm Thursday 4 June and feature works from more than 20 regional artists across painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and contemporary practice.

For many of the artists featured in the inaugural exhibition, the opening represents far more than a new venue – it is a long-awaited opportunity to strengthen the visibility and sustainability of the arts in the Whitsundays.

Photographer Lucy Seddon-Brown believes the gallery creates opportunities for artists to connect and grow together:

“Having a community gallery opens the door as an artist. It's about being a part of a creative community and being proud to share your artistry with society.”

Her photographic works featured in the opening exhibition capture the beauty of the Whitsundays through her own lens:

“My photographic pieces are images taken locally; they showcase the beauty of our region through my lens and photographic perception.”

For artist Michael van Blerk, the gallery will help showcase the depth of creative talent that already exists across the region:

“To have a community gallery in the Whitsunday area gives the plethora of local artists the opportunity to share their talent and experiences directly with the community in an accessible way.

It will nourish the local community and give renewed life to the artistic talent that our beautiful corner of the world has in abundance.”

Artist Ingrid Hendriksen sees the gallery as a place where local stories can be shared with both residents and visitors:

“Having a permanent community gallery in the Whitsundays is incredibly meaningful, as it provides a lasting space for local artists to connect, exhibit and share the unique beauty, creativity and stories of our region and country with both the community and visitors from around the world.”

Her exhibited works draw inspiration from a distinctly Australian perspective:

“The aerial artworks I’m exhibiting are inspired by the remarkable Australian landscape seen from above during flights with my husband.”

The exhibition will also feature innovative works by Emma Anderson, whose practice combines environmental awareness with artistic expression:

“My work is inspired by the Whitsundays marine environment and through my passion for transforming discarded ocean debris into woven pieces I hope to reimagine beauty from refuse.”

Artist Jacqueline Taylor describes community galleries as important cultural gathering places that foster artistic connection.

While Debbie Stephens says the gallery offers regional artists an invaluable opportunity to share their work and celebrate the creativity of the Whitsundays.

For exhibiting artist Susie Petkovski, the inspiration behind her work comes from personal experience and exploration:

“My artwork was inspired by the emotional and personal journey I experienced while travelling Australia — drawing from the movement, textures, stillness and natural beauty of the landscapes and coastal moments that deeply changed the way I see both the world and myself.”

Other exhibiting artists echoed the importance of having a dedicated space to share local stories, landscapes, and creative perspectives with the community.

“I am thrilled to have this wonderful art gallery. It is well placed and will be a great drawcard for everyone to visit. It provides a beautiful opportunity to exhibit and celebrate the serene beauty of the Whitsundays, a coastal paradise that attracts visitors year-round. It is a wonderful asset for Proserpine and the wider Whitsunday region” said Sue Bowen

“The gallery is just what was needed for the area, allowing local artists a place to showcase their work. This body of work is inspired by our beautiful Australian birds, the flora, and the environment they depend on for survival” said Desma Munro.

The Gallery represents an important step forward for the region’s creative community, creating a permanent home where artists can be seen, supported, and celebrated year-round.

CCW also acknowledges the generous support of local sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and community partners whose contributions have helped bring the gallery project to life:

• Whitsunday Regional Council

• Sunbird Electrical

• Green Energy

• Filby's Motors

• Casey's Mitre 10

• Womens Well Co

• Whitsunday Crocodile Safari

• Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Prosperine

• Fresh Fields News & Gifts

• Downtown Butchery

• Amanda Camm MP

• Tropical Signs

• Lions Club

The opening night will bring together artists, community members, business leaders, government representatives, and supporters to celebrate the launch of a new cultural space designed for the whole Whitsunday region.

The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to RSVP by Tuesday 2 June.

RSVP »