Two massive exhibitions are opening at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery this weekend with the launches of the 2026 biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards and the 71st Townsville Art Society Art Awards.
The 45th edition of the North Queensland Ceramic Awards will take over the ground floor of the gallery from Saturday, showcasing 78 artworks from around Australia.
The awards will be judged by arts practitioner and member of the International Academy of Ceramics Paul Davis. Winners are vying for four major prizes: the $10,000 City of Townsville Art Collection Award, the $2,000 EV2 Sportswear Award, the $1,000 People's Choice Award and the $500 Rainford Family Award.
Mr Davis said the exhibition was "a capsule of the national upsurge of interest in ceramics".
"The incredible thing this year is the diversity and high level of skill on display. It's been really difficult for me to say 'this is the most outstanding piece artwork'. Truthfully I could have picked 15 or 20 pieces to win," Mr Davis said.
"This exhibition is so unique and artists are so lucky to have a prize of this magnitude in Townsville. I was here about 20 years ago when I judged a previous North Queensland Ceramic Awards and the competition has just stepped up since then.
"There is nowhere else in the country that is doing exhibitions like this on this scale. Potters and ceramic artists are putting this competition on their calendar and working towards it.
"I don't think there's any person who could walk into this gallery and be disappointed by what they saw. You can't help but come to something like this and think 'wow, this is incredible'."
Meanwhile on the first floor of the gallery, The Townsville Art Society (TAS) Art Awards is celebrating the city's established and emerging artistic talents.
The awards are judged by Karina Devineand are run independently of Council.
TAS member Lisa Ashcroft has entered a number of pieces in this year's exhibition, including silversmith jewellery, oil paintings and textile works. One of her pieces in this year's exhibition is a handstitched textile work called You were always Leda and Naalldlooshi.
Ms Ashcroft said her journey to becoming a TAS member started more than three decades ago when she completed her postgraduate qualification in art history in the UK.
"From the moment I arrived in Townsville in 2011, TAS welcomed me into a vibrant and supportive creative environment, and it has remained an important part of both my artistic practice and personal journey ever since. Through exhibitions, workshops, and friendships, TAS has provided not only creative opportunities but also a strong sense of belonging in my adopted hometown," Ms Ashcroft said.
"The creation of my textile works is intentionally slow and reflective. Each piece involves many hours of hand stitching, embroidery, and the careful layering of fabrics, buttons, doilies, and antique objects. I am drawn to traditional women's crafts and use these materials to honour artistic practices that have often been overlooked or undervalued within broader art movements. The process itself becomes a form of storytelling, with every stitch contributing to the narrative of the work.
"My textile work continues a deeply personal series exploring survival, healing, and resilience following relationship breakdown and domestic violence. Last year's Best in Show winner, selected by judge Robert Heather, was the first piece in a triptych. The work exhibited this year is the third and final piece in that series, representing the journey into freedom, reclaiming personal agency, and finding the strength to move forward with life."
Ms Ashcroft said being part of TAS was a gateway to exploring new and diverse styles for the entire group of artists.
"One of the wonderful aspects of this exhibition is its diversity. There is a wide range of artistic styles, mediums, and price points, ensuring there is something for everyone to connect with and enjoy," she said.
"I would wholeheartedly recommend joining TAS to anyone with a creative interest. Beyond the classes, workshops, and exhibition opportunities, TAS offers something even more valuable: a supportive and diverse artistic community. Since arriving in Townsville, TAS has been a constant presence in my life. It has helped me navigate some of my most challenging times and has provided friendship, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. For me, it has been far more than an art society - it has been a creative home."
Councillor Liam Mooney said both exhibitions were a reflection of Council's continued focus on championing the arts.
"It's no secret that Townsville has an incredible arts community whose talents can hold their own against established artists from right across the country. Council is proud to be further its commitment to supporting emerging and professional artists right here in the arts capital of Northern Australia through exhibitions like these," Cr Mooney said.
"I'd like to extend my congratulations to all of the exhibiting artists in both the Townsville Art Society Art Awards and the North Queensland Ceramic Awards. Being part of these exhibitions is a huge achievement and I know visitors to the gallery will thoroughly enjoy seeing your pieces."
The 71st Townsville Art Society Art Awards will launch at 6pm on Friday 18 September at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, with a floor talk with judge Karina Devine at 10:30am on Saturday 19 September. The exhibition runs through to Sunday 18 October.
The North Queensland Ceramic Awards will launch at 6pm on Saturday 19 November at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, with a floor talk with judge Paul Davis at 10:30am on Sunday 20 September and runs until 17 January next year.
Both exhibitions are free to visit. View the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery website
