Mythical landscapes, transformations of everyday materials, rituals of birthday celebrations, and a display of community arts and crafts this September
This September Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) presents four diverse exhibitions celebrating the breadth and vitality of arts practice across the region. Exhibitions include the 15th Annual Grace Cruice Memorial Exhibition by Ballina Arts & Crafts Centre Inc., alongside exhibitions that explore the rituals of birthday celebrations and culture of achievement, mythical painted landscapes and the transformation of everyday materials as a means of navigating grief and joy.
An arts and cultural initiative of Ballina Shire Council, NRCG fosters the presentation of a diverse range of contemporary art from across the Northern Rivers region and beyond. Together, these exhibitions reflect the exceptional talent of regional artists and NRCG's ongoing commitment to supporting local creative practice and showcasing compelling exhibitions with the community.
The duality of | Dale Burke
Dale Burke is a painter of mythical landscapes who blends photography with found imagery as the foundation for painting. The works are loosely anchored in a sense of realism which is transformed through watery layers of vibrant paint. Burke carefully crafts an imagined world that engages the viewer and questions the concept of what landscape can be.
Image: Dale Burke, Blue Green Tree, 2025
If not now, when?| Christina Waterson
Through the transformation of everyday materials into sculptural objects, Christina Waterson reflects on personal journeys of growth, grief, healing and renewal. Balancing self-doubt with self-belief, her practice celebrates transformation and the restorative power of art as a pathway back to self and home.
Image: Christina Waterson, A Garland for My Heart, 2023
Happy Birthday | Estefania Minniti (FANIA)
In Happy Birthday, FANIA uses the familiar ritual of birthday celebrations to explore expectations that accumulate around the passing of time. Through painting, ceramics and sculptural forms, the exhibition examines how ideas of success, adulthood and personal achievement are often shaped by social comparisons and cultural milestones.
Image: Estefania Minniti, Feliz Cumpleaños, 2023
The 15th Annual Grace Cruice Memorial Exhibition | BACCI
Presented by the members of Ballina Arts & Crafts Centre Incorporated (BACCI), the 15th Annual Grace Cruice Memorial Exhibition is a tribute to founding member, Grace Cruice and her vision showcasing the best works created by BACCI members in the past 12 months.
Image: Geoffrey MacLean, Landscape Series 1, 2025
All exhibitions open Thursday 20 August and continue until Sunday 11 October. The official exhibition launch will be held 5.30 – 7.30pm, Thursday 20 August.
The Northern Rivers Community Gallery is located at 44 Cherry Street Ballina and is open Wednesday to Friday from 9am until 3pm and weekends from 9.30am until 1.00pm. For further information contact the Gallery on 02 6681 0530 or visit the website www.nrcgballina.com.au
