First Nations artists from three Cairns secondary schools will take their work from the classroom to the gallery next month, as UMI Arts presents its 2026 Culture Through Our Eyes exhibition.
Featuring 44 works by 26 students from Djarragun College, St Mary's Catholic College and Trinity Bay State High School, the annual exhibition provides an important early pathway for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to develop their creative practice and experience having their work showcased in a professional gallery environment.
Opening at UMI Arts' Jensen Plaza Gallery on Friday October 2, Culture Through Our Eyes 2026 spans acrylic painting, miniature works on watercolour paper, digital textile printing and contemporary mixed-media sculpture.
An established part of UMI Arts' annual exhibition program, Culture Through Our Eyes showcases the artwork and perspectives of secondary school-aged First Nations artists.
According to UMI Arts artistic director Lisa Michl-Ko-manggén OAM, Culture Through Our Eyes gives young First Nations artists invaluable insight into a future career in the creative industries.
"For some, this may be their first experience exhibiting publicly, and that can be incredibly powerful - building confidence and showing them where their creativity might take them," Ms Ko-manggén said.
"What makes this exhibition so special is the individuality of the work.
"These young artists bring their own ideas and experiences, drawing on culture, family, community and Country, and giving audiences a wonderful insight into how this generation sees itself and the world around it."
The 2026 exhibition brings together a diverse body of work developed through the three participating schools.
At Trinity Bay State High School, students explored digital textile printing, translating original designs into a contemporary medium that blends creative experimentation with cultural expression; notably, one student, Shaun Jarvis, created a mixed-media sculpture. Students from St Mary's Catholic College and Djarragun College contributed works in other media, including painting and works on paper. Together, the works form an exhibition that reflects both individual artistic approaches and shared explorations of culture and identity.
Culture Through Our Eyes 2026 participating artists from Djarragun College include Jacelyn Zanco, Shaleish Yeatman, Michelle Sands-Gordon, Hansen Ambrym, Tayamiah Marrott-Tanner, Ivan Dickson, Peter Levi, Sharntel Evans, Lailanee Lui, Eltina Limbiari, Jayda Hector, Jesseeka Cassidy, Sheeleira Hector, Joy Dumoo and Vellington Lui.
Culture Through Our Eyes 2026 participating artists from St Mary's Catholic College include Jahzara Michl and Yaromir Michl, and participating artists from Trinity Bay State High School include Alaina Tyson-McLean, Hellen Warusam, Rashaela Anau, Rumantha Hazel Soderberg, Tassiana Riordan - Jacob, Jahnesta Nona, Limiah McGregor-Yeatman, Sarah Jane Niki and Shaun Jarvis.
Culture Through Our Eyes 2026 will be presented alongside UMI Arts' Exhibition Ready 2026, featuring established artists Shane Gibson (Aka Dhuga), of the Bulgu Thuubi and Bindhi clans, and Torres Strait Islander artist Robert Tommy Pau, of the Erub Samsep clans.
Together, the exhibitions cap UMI Arts' 2026 exhibition series during the organisation's 21st year, following You & Me, The Summer Series and Freshwater Saltwater, and reflecting UMI Arts' commitment to supporting First Nations artists at different stages of their creative journeys.
The exhibitions will officially open with a free public event and smoking ceremony from 6 pm on Friday October 2 at UMI Arts' Jensen Plaza Gallery, and continue until February 26 next year.
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