Welcome to Cairns Art Society

Cairns Art Society (CAS) is one of North Queensland's oldest and largest community art organisations.  As not-for-profit association, it supports not only a large membership but the region's artists in general, with exhibitions, classes and competitions.  

It operates two member-run art galleries and a working artist studio, whilst also partnering with the Cairns Regional Council and many local businesses to bring high quality local art to the community and visitors.

Members meet monthly at 5.30pm on the second Thursday of the month at the Artists@work Studio & Gallery, 29 Sheridan Street, Cairns. Visitors are welcome.  NEXT MEETING: Thursday 10 November, at 4.30pm.

Cairns Art Society, 73rd Annual Art Awards, 15 - 30 January 2021

Entries close Wednesday 2 December at midnight

Looking for some art for your home or a unique gift

Seeking art exhibitions and competitions to enter?

OR

looking for somewhere to sell your art?

CAS's two member-run galleries offer a wide range of artworks, and have regular member exhibitions.

Some members will also do commissioned pieces.

Looking for art lessons?

CAS members run regular drawing and painting classes and courses, and also workshops. 

Current classes

Sheran Barton runs weekday painting classes at the Artists@work Studio & Gallery, currently Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

CAS usually runs two major art exhibitions and awards every year, that  all artists can enter.

​

Just want to meet other artists?

CAS members get together for monthly meetings, and organise all the society's activities. 

Members run both galleries in a comfortable and sociable environment.

Members also receive discounts on exhibition entries and art supplies, and information about exhibition opportunities with other organisations.

Click here to download Exhibition Overview and details for entering

Click here to download Conditions of Entry

.

Entries close

midnight 2 Dec

Interior Design Studio

Cairns Art Society invites all artists to enter our Annual Art Awards

Note: Entry fees are non-refundable.

Pre-selection committee: Kylie Burke, Andrea Huelin, Pete Marshall.   Exhibition judge: Dr Sylvia Ditchburn.

​

Key dates

Entries open: Sunday 1st Nov.  Entries close:Midnight, Monday 30 Nov.  Notified whether selected: by 23 Dec

Delivery of selected artworks: Local entries: Tue 12 Jan (9-1pm).   Distant entries: by 13 Jan (5pm)

​

Presentation of Awards

The awards presentation on 15 January at the Cairns Regional Gallery, will be restricted to a small invitation-only ceremony, as COVD-19 regulations limit total numbers in the room to 50.  Invitees will include all category winners and highly commendeds; the Exhibition Judge Dr Sylvia Ditchburn;  Pre-selection Judges Kylie Burke, Andrea Huelin and Pete Marshall; Award sponsors; dignitaries; gallery staff; and exhibition co-ordinator Janice O'Neill.  CAS's Jody Lewis who will be recording and taking photographs of the event - all of which will be posted on the CAS website for all to see.

​

The exhibition will be open in the Cairns Art Gallery for public viewing from 16 January 2021.

Close of Exhibition: 5pm Saturday 30 January

Collect artworks not acquired or sold:   Mon 1 Feb (1-5pm), or Tue 2 Feb (9-11am)

​

Awards and entry categories

Award for Best in Show:  Marion Ireland Award (Open to any Category) Acquisitive $2,500

8 Highly Commended Awards - details to be advised.

​

Entry categories

Warren Entsch Award: Best Oil Painting – Any subject. Non–Acquisitive $500

Tropical Art Framers Award: Best Watercolour Painting- Any Subject. Non–Acquisitive $500

Warren Entsch Award: Best Acrylic Painting - Any Subject. Non-Acquisitive $500

Cairns Create It Award: Best Mixed Media Painting- Other - Any Subject. Non–Acquisitive – choice of art materials to value of $500

Australian Art Framers Award: Best Drawing – Any Subject (Colour Pencil, Charcoal, Graphite, Pen and Ink, Pastel Pencils, Conte). Non–Acquisitive $500

High Scan Award: Best Computer Manipulated/Generated/Digital Artwork - Any Subject. Non–Acquisitive $500

Sherry Jones Best 3D Artwork Award - Any Subject. Acquisitive  - $1,000

Ink Masters Award - Best Printmaking Artwork - Any Subject (Etching, Lithograph, Silk Screen, Wood Block, Aqua Tint) - Any Subject. Non-Acquisitive $500