Fabric painting & printing workshop
2022-08-20 08:30 - 16:00 (Australia/Brisbane)
Fabric painting & printing workshop
by Internationally renowned fabric artist Denise Burkitt

Hand Paint & Print – a Design Workshop
Join us for an experimental fun day! Denise will share tips and methods on how to create a colour palette and overlap shapes and sizes. Take home your own unique piece of cloth to make an oversized Shirt, Pants, a Table Run-ner, Tablecloth, Serviettes, Carry Bag- the possibilities are endless! More de-tails including materials list will be sent upon booking.

Saturday 20 August 8.30—4pm
Cost: $80 (Materials included)
Bookings: heinkebutt@hotmail.com or Tel 0419024291

Gympie Region Studio Trails
2022-09-03 - 2022-09-18
Welcome to the Gympie Region Studio Trails. Our talented artists, artisans and creatives are the heart and soul of the region, and invite you into their private studios, ateliers and creative spaces to share their work, their skills, their
stories and their inspiration with you. This is an opportunity to meet the makers and gain an intimate insight into the creative practices and techniques of our local artists.
The Gympie Region Studio Trails 2022 runs from Saturday 3 September to Sunday 18 September, and this year offers the opportunity to plan your own bespoke itinerary in your own time. We hope you enjoy the experience of
discovering the heART of the region and maybe even take home your own cherished piece of art.
Mary Valley Artslink will be hosting the Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival, visit scarecrows.org.au for more information, also Bila Bakonyi Photographic Exhibition will be open on Sat 17th and 18th at the Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil.

Poetry & Song at Art on Yabba
2023-04-16 08:00 - 10:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Join us for a morning of Poetry and Song at Art on Yabba.
8am – 10am, 16th April 2023.
116 Yabba Road, Imbil.

Invitation: Exhibition Opening - Master Artist Ian Mastin
2023-05-05 17:30 - 20:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Art on Yabba is hosting the Gala Opening Event for GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival 2023
art, food and opera
5th May 2023, 5.30 for 6pm
‘An Epicurean Delight’
Opening of an exhibition by Master Artist Ian Mastin and featuring well known actor and highly trained opera singer Lincoln Scot while enjoying the deliciousness of Italian culinary delights prepared by The Wild Vine Restaurant.
116 Yabba Road Imbil, Qld.
’an epicurean delight’
Oil on canvas
By Ian Mastin
For the discerning art collector, Ian Mastin creates still life paintings that are so realistic, you’ll feel you can almost pick them up.
Perhaps most remarkable, however, is the fact that Ian’s entirely self-taught artist, only stumbling across this hidden talent at the ripe old age of 40, when he took the notion to pick up a paintbrush.
Over the past 30 years, Ian’s artwork has built an enthusiastic following across the UK, Europe, the US and Australia. It is regularly featured in international Art Fairs, including London, New York, Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Singapore. His paintings can be found in many private collections all around the world.
Bookings: https://bit.ly/3kvHbIm

Animal Crackers - a solo exhibition by Fiona Groom
2023-07-01 09:00 - 2023-07-30 14:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Popular Ninderry artist Fiona Groom has sent her work to the moon, but you can see it locally at Art on Yabba in Imbil, which hosts her solo exhibition Animal Crackers in July, 2023.
The exhibition opens on Saturday July 1 at 4pm at Imbil’s Wild Vine Café. The fine art gallery is at 116 Yabba Road, Imbil and opens from 9am-2pm Thursday-Sunday. Tickets are free but please book on Eventbrite for catering numbers.
Fiona has featured in a TV episode of Put Some Colour in Your Life, resulting in her episode being sent to the moon this year as part of a cultural library installed on the moon by NASA and SpaceX.
A previous winner at the Mary Valley Art Festival, Fiona says life is about observation and response.
In Animal Crackers, she shares a collection of animal portraits – a snapshot of the natural world. Fiona said the exhibition would draw the viewer in and not only delight them but generate awareness of how awesome animals are.

Book launch "The Book of Imbil and Brooloo"
2023-10-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Gympie photographer Bela Bakonyi provides a snapshot of 40 families in the Mary Valley in his new publication The Book of Imbil and Brooloo.
It took Bela six months to interview and photograph families in the two Mary Valley villages, building a picture of what makes this small community special.
The book will be launched at Art on Yabba fine art gallery in Imbil on Sunday October 1 at 2pm. Tickets are free, but bookings are required to assist with catering. Find the event on Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3KXufor
The project was made possible with funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund through Gympie Regional Council and is an historic record through the eyes of a photographer.
You can find Art on Yabba at 116 Yabba Road, Imbil. It is open 9am-2pm Thursday-Sunday. You can also follow the gallery on Facebook.

The View from Here exhibition
2023-10-07 16:00 - 20:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Flaxton based artist Glenis Gray displays her solo exhibition The View from Here at Art on Yabba fine art gallery in Imbil during October.
It will be opened by acclaimed sculptor, mentor and educator Elli Schlunke on Saturday October 7 at 4pm and all are welcome! Tickets are free but for catering purposes, please register via Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3QIYPpL
Although based on “the landscape”, Glenis considers there to be a broader definition than the one we normally recognize and so includes the landscape of the human form with all its curves and undulations.
The View from Here provides a different perspective on landscape, and the artist’s repertoire of imagery, garnered over the years, has been used to great effect.
You can find Art on Yabba at 116 Yabba Road, Imbil. It is open 9am-2pm Thursday-Sunday. You can also follow the gallery on Facebook. Inquiries 0419 024291 or email info@maryvalleyartslink.com.au

'From number 9' - an exhibition by Pat Cale
2023-11-04 16:00 - 18:00
Pat Cale is an artist in love with her immediate landscape.
From number 9 is a collection of paintings, drawings and collages inspired by the locality of Imbil which is central to the Mary Valley in South-East Queensland. The exhibition will be officially opened on Saturday November 4 at 4pm by respected environmentalist Ian Mackay. The artwork will be on show at the fine art gallery – Art on Yabba – for the month of November. The gallery at 116 Yabba Road, Imbil, is open Thursday-Sunday 9am-2pm.
Pat lives on a hillside road overlooking the town – her outlook faces east which offers a panoramic view of the daily sunrise, season change, weather events and endless bird activity. Surrounding areas are defined by winding roads and gentle hills and provide her with sublime inspiration.
Tickets are free but please book for catering numbers https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/735030384667
“a very good artist, hugely underestimated” John Olsen

Mary Valley Art Festival 2024
2024-07-25 10:00 - 2024-07-28 16:00 | Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, Queensland, Australia
Celebrate the art and artists of the Mary Valley region with us at our annual festival at Imbil, Mary Valley, SEQ!
Day Pass $5 per day | Free for members, under 16 free
Opening Night | Fri July 26 | Non members $20, members $5
Poet’s Breakfast | Sat July 27 | $5
Entries open on May 15 with $11,500 in prizes up for grabs! The RJR Property Best in Show winner will receive $3000 and the Community Bank Gympie & District has given $1500 for the winner of the Open category. Entry forms are due July 8 so get cracking! More details www.maryvalleyartfestival.com.au

Art on Yabba pop-up gallery and exhibition opening
2024-08-31 15:00 - 18:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Join us to celebrate the opening of the Art on Yabba pop-up gallery with its new exhibition It’s Only Natural by Jan Lawnikanis.

The popular fine art gallery has new temporary premises next door to the Imbil Friendly Grocer and will be open Thursday-Sunday, 10am-2pm, from 29 August.

Jan’s exhibition runs from 29 August-29 September and features more than 50 artworks in watercolour plus other media, exploring the artist’s wonderment and reverence of the natural world. The subjects include flowers, birds, landscapes and seascapes.

While most are watercolours, there are some created using colour pencil and/or mixed media. A variety of traditional and experimental techniques are on show.
Book here for tickets to the opening on 31 August > https://bit.ly/3Wtt1X1

Jan will also host a watercolour workshop in September where you can learn how to paint beautiful birds. Bookings > https://bit.ly/4d5FgQR

Would you like to exhibit at the gallery? Submit an EOI > https://www.maryvalleyartslink.com.au/art-on-yabba-proposal

Birds in Watercolour workshop by Jan Lawnikanis
2024-09-21 09:00 - 16:00 | Imbil RSL Hall, Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Come join us for a fun workshop where you’ll learn how to paint beautiful birds using watercolours with the talented artist Jan Lawnikanis!

The talented artist will guide you through the process step by step. No prior experience is necessary, so don’t be shy if you’re a beginner!

Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon. This is a great opportunity to unleash your artistic side and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts. See you there! Bookings > https://bit.ly/4d5FgQR

You’ll learn essential techniques for rendering feathers, beaks, and other intricate details. Explore the nuances of watercolour painting, from mixing colours to mastering brush strokes, while bringing these feathered friends to life on paper. Basic bird anatomy will also be covered, including some practice drawing.

With expert instruction, demonstrations and personalized feedback, you’ll leave with a beautiful bird painting and newfound confidence in your watercolour skills.

Some basic experience with watercolour is preferred, but newcomers to painting are also welcome. Jan will provide the option to use templates for tracing. Material list will be supplied after booking.

Exhibition: Eclectic Treasures
2024-10-03 10:00 - 2024-11-10 14:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
The next show at Art on Yabba pop-up gallery is Eclectic Treasures, featuring works from a collection of local artists including Pat Cale, Pam Hopkins, Lizzie Last, Lyn Nothdurft, Nonie Metzler and Jennie Hawkes Wright. It opens on Saturday 5 October at 3PM, at the gallery’s new address of 102 Yabba Road, Imbil.
Eclectic Treasures will showcase the artworks from 3 October to 10 November. Gallery hours at Thursdays-Sundays, 10AM-2PM.

Exhibition: Coloured In
2024-11-14 10:00 - 2024-12-08 14:00 | Art on Yabba pop-up gallery, 102 Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
The new exhibition at Art on Yabba pop-up gallery is Coloured In, featuring works from popular artists Fiona Groom and Dale Leach.
It opens on Saturday 16 November at 3pm, at the gallery’s new address of 102 Yabba Road, Imbil. Coloured In will showcase the artworks from 14 November to 8 December.
The exhibition title is appropriate for these fun-loving artists. Dale has always been fascinated by drawing and the use of colour. Her father was a travelling house painter and her grandmother was a dressmaker.
“We always had tints and tones for colour mixing in the garage, and an acute awareness of what colour went with what other colour,” Dale said.
“Colour mattered in our house. I would draw for hours on butcher’s paper on the kitchen table, and dad would paint, pirate ships and cartoon characters on our walls.”
After 70 years of painting and drawing, she now believes that she has sufficient skill to draw and paint as she sees fit. Her artistic heroes are Vincent van Gogh, David Hockney, Kathryn Braford and Australian landscape painter, William Robinson.
Collaborator Fiona Groom is renowned for her quirky animal portraits, inspired by the natural world and using realism to convey her message.
“I’m driven to make work that has a little humour, which in turn generates a reaction thus making the artwork more memorable,” Fiona said.
“My paintings are a snapshot if you will, a frozen moment. It’s my intention to draw the viewer in and not only delight them but generate awareness of how awesome nature can be.”

Trivia night - Imbil RSL Hall
2024-11-23 18:30 - 21:30 | Imbil RSL Hall, Yabba Road, Imbil, Qld, 4570, Australia
Test your knowledge against fellow residents at the trivia night hosted by Mary Valley Artslink.
Light snacks provided and bar available.
This is a fundraiser for the local art group which is working to establish a permanent art gallery in Imbil in the Mary Valley.
Art on Yabba is presently housed in a pop-up gallery at 102 Yabba Road, Imbil. The group has obtained a licence agreement with Gympie Regional Council to investigate the possibility of building a permanent gallery in Imbil. It now needs the funds to make the dream a reality.
Cost $15. Tickets and bookings at the Imbil Post Office. Inquiries info@maryvalleyartslink.com.au
Follow the gallery on socials.

Mary Valley Art Festival
2025-07-24 10:00 - 2025-07-27 15:00 | Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, Queensland, Australia
UPDATE: Extended deadline for entries – now closing Monday 14 July.

Celebrate art and artists in the Mary Valley region at our annual festival at Imbil, Mary Valley, South-East Queensland!

Day pass $5 per day | Free for members, under 14 free Opening and awards night | Fri 25 July | $25 | Book now $10,000 in prizes up for grabs!

The RJR Property Best in Show winner will receive $2000 and the Community Bank Gympie & District has given $1500 for the winner of the Open category.

Opening and awards night - Mary Valley Art Festival
2025-07-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, Queensland, Australia
Be the first to know who won the Bendigo Bank Open Award or the RJR Property Best in Show Award at the 2025 Mary Valley Art Festival!

We’re giving away more than $10,000 in prizes at the Awards night, which kicks off at 6pm at the Imbil Public Hall. Tickets are $25. Book via Eventbrite.

Join us to celebrate local art and meet the artists and friends. Licensed bar and finger food.

Win limited edition print by Lew Brennan
2025-08-01 08:00 - 2025-08-31 17:00
Mary Valley ArtsLink is raising funds to help build a new Art on Yabba Fine Art Gallery and Cultural Hub in Imbil.
Help make this important community arts space a reality by taking part in our raffle.
Only 150 tickets ($50 each) will be sold for the prize of this fine art print valued at $1200. Title: The Aware.
The raffle closes on 31 August.
Buy your ticket now!

Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival
2025-09-01 - 2025-09-30 | Mary Valley, Mary Valley, Queensland, Australia
It’s time to get cracking and plan your visit to the 2025 Mary Valley Scarecrow Festival!
The popular event is taking on an Australiana theme this year. Who knows what you might see in a paddock around here.
Scarecrows come out of the woodwork on 1 September and will be on display until 30 September. A Google map will be uploaded to this website after judging, showing locations of all scarecrows so you can take a day trip to go scarecrow spotting in the Mary Valley.

Art on Yabba fine art gallery opening
2026-02-28 16:30 - 18:30 | Art on Yabba, 123 Yabba Rd, Imbil, Queensland, 4570, Australia
You are invited to the opening of Art on Yabba – an initiative of Mary Valley Artslink – at the new Mary Valley Arts & Cultural Hub.
This purpose-built, independently managed facility will be a sustainable, long-term home for arts and cultural activity in the region. It will host solo and mixed exhibitions.
This event is two-fold – you get to step inside our new art space in the Mary Valley … and we launch our first exhibition for 2026.
Unveiled is a members’ exhibition and features works from some of your favourite artists in the Gympie region.
Arrive at 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Free but bookings required for catering.
Contact Mary Valley Artslink at info@maryvalleyartslink.com.au

Palate and Poise
2026-05-14 10:00 - 2026-05-31 14:00 | Art on Yabba, 123 Yabba Rd, Imbil, Queensland, 4570, Australia
Art on Yabba, Mary Valley’s fine art gallery, presents a GourMay exhibition Palate & Poise.
This exhibition that brings together artists who use food as image, material, and metaphor. Spanning multiple media, the works explore food in all its forms, from the plants that nourish us to fresh interpretations of the classic still life.
Artists will include Ian Mastin, Jan Lawnikanis and more.
This event runs from 1-31 May on gallery open days – Thursday-Sunday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and is part of the annual GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival.

Evoke: Exhibition by Modern Studio painters and potters
2026-06-04 10:00 - 2026-06-28 14:00
Art on Yabba welcomes eight artists from the Modern Studios to display their new exhibition Evoke from 4-28 June at the Imbil fine art gallery.
The contributing artists push the boundaries of their personal styles in this collection of 2D and 3D works.
They attend Wednesday morning sessions at the Forshaw and McGannon Studios at Doonan. Their shared belief is that every artist’s path is unique; their role is to provide the technical expertise and the industrious space needed for those aspirations to take physical form.
Since 2015, the modern gallery and workshop space in Doonan has served as a cornerstone for technical mastery and creative exploration. Founded by ex-TAFE educators Dennis Forshaw and Cheryl McGannon, the studio is built on a foundation of professional art education and a lifelong passion for specialized creative disciplines.
The official exhibition opening will be held on Saturday 6 June at 2:00 PM. NB: Note time change. Bookings required.
Art on Yabba is open from Thursday – Sunday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Image credit: Om Mandala by Lisa Stanton.
Artists

Cheryl McGannon | An accomplished Sunshine Coast-based mixed media artist and educator with a career spanning over 33 years. Holding a Master of Creative Arts from James Cook University, Cheryl’s practice is an ongoing exploration of “The landscape of the subconscious,” translated through the luminous and tactile layers of cold wax and oil. Her work is characterized by a sophisticated interplay between her roots in traditional printmaking and her contemporary mastery of cold wax medium.
Michelle Mann | A mixed media artist and illustrator living in the Sunshine Coast. Her vibrant, joyful and whimsical artworks are inspired by nature, spirituality and a colourful imagination. Michelle has held two solo exhibitions and her work is held by collectors both nationally and internationally. Most days you will find Michelle in her home studio in Woombye playing with colour.
Lisa Stanton | An abstract artist also based on the Sunshine Coast. Her creative journey has taken her from the traditional folk art of her Ukrainian heritage to the photographic realism of landscapes and seascapes, still life, close-focus flowers, and botanical art. This collection of works for Art on Yabba is influenced by her passion for using crystals in meditation.
Dennis Forshaw | Originally from the UK, Master Potter Dennis Forshaw blends technical rigor with artistic discovery, a path forged by his background in engineering and TAFE teaching. This foundation of precision underpins his command over the volatile alchemy of the kiln. He creates exquisite Raku and saggar fired vessels. The metamorphic qualities in his work are about growth, change, and enlightenment, reinforcing the power and beauty of life.
Lyn McBain | In 2017, Lyn transitioned to the Sunshine Coast, a move that marked a significant evolution in her creative practice. After years dedicated to ceramics, she pivoted from the tactile nature of clay to the versatile world of cold wax and oils. This shift allowed her to explore depth and history through a different lens, trading the kiln for the rich, translucent layers of wax. More recently, Lyn has expanded her repertoire by delving into mixed media and experimental techniques through her involvement with the Evoke Modern collective.
Alyssa McBain | Alyssa has explored many different mediums and styles, transitioning from realism and surrealism to oils, acrylics, and eventually mixed media with a more abstract expression. She exhibited in Melbourne on several occasions prior to moving to the Sunshine Coast. Alyssa finds solace in the beauty of the ocean and the ever-changing shapes created by sand and water.
Margaret Builder | Margaret is an abstract painter, having completed several bodies of paintings. She was a private art student with Stanislau Rapotec for six years and continued her tutelage with Australian abstract artist, Peter Griffen while living in New South Wales. Recently Margaret has continued her tutelage and guidance with Australian artist, Cheryl McGannon where she was introduced to cold wax and oils which she continues to paint with today.
Shirley Top | Based in the Noosa hinterland, Shirley’s ceramic practice explores the quiet beauty of handmade objects through simplicity, texture, and organic form. Working predominantly with soft celadon and muted teal glazes, she is a multidisciplinary artist working across ceramics, painting, and watercolour. Her practice is inspired by the surrounding coastal landscape, quiet everyday moments, and a love of understated beauty and simplicity.

Mary Valley Art Festival 2026
2026-07-23 10:00 - 2026-07-26 15:00 | Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, Queensland, Australia
UPDATE: We have extended the deadline for entry forms until midnight on 13 July!

The Mary Valley Art Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary on 23-26 July at Imbil, Mary Valley!

One of the South-East Queensland’s most established regional arts events, the festival continues to attract strong participation, with more than $10,500 in prize money and hundreds of artworks displayed across a wide range of categories, including a dedicated youth section.

Highlights include the Best in Show Award, supported by the Gympie and District Community Bank, and a full program of events with an awards night and Sunday artisan markets.

Entries open on 18 May and close on 6 July.

Day pass $5 per day | Under 14 free Opening and awards night | Fri 25 July | $25 | Book now! $10,500 in prizes up for grabs!

Image credit: Pat Cale.

Gympie Region Studio Trails

Mary Valley Art Festival and the fine art gallery Art on Yabba proudly feature in the 2026 Gympie Region Studio Trails in the Gympie and the South trail.
The art festival is open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on 25 and 26 July at the Imbil Public Hall, Edward Street, Imbil, while the gallery will also open from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on those days.
Join the inspiring journey and meet the artists of the Gympie region, exploring their creative spaces, from studios to galleries.
This unique event invites you to uncover a world of artistic possibilities, showcasing a diverse range of mediums and practices. Engage with talented local artists, learn about their techniques, and appreciate their creativity firsthand.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply curious, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the vibrant creative community in Gympie.
