An Artback NT Touring Exhibition Clay on Country is a celebration of clay, community, culture and creativity. Showcasing the enthusiasm for ceramic practice in the central desert region the exhibition is a diverse and eclectic survey, the first of its kind, including 35 artists and collectives, the majority of whom have made new work for the show. Some are established ceramic artists, some are reconnecting with the medium, others are incorporating clay into their practice for the first time. All have produced accomplished, insightful, and contemporary works that reflect the culturally and historically rich and complex region where they live and work. The varied works in Clay on Country reflect Ancestral stories, contemporary experiences and settler histories alongside the joys and challenges of making with clay, the push and pull of the medium and the myriad results of an engagement with this most tactile of materials. Curated by Jo Foster and Neridah Stockley the exhibition is the first survey of its kind, developed to coincide with the 16th Australian Ceramics Triennale.

Shapes of the Hunter brings together a diverse group of artists with a deep connection to the Hunter – Michèle Heibel, Will Maguire, Kristen Lethem, and Amanda Charge - to celebrate the region’s rich creative spirit. Showcasing works across sculpture, painting, jewellery, and mixed media, the exhibition highlights the distinctive forms, materials, and stories that define each artist’s practice. Together, these artists explore the landscape, culture, and character of the Hunter through their chosen mediums, revealing the textures and connections that shape our shared environment. Shapes of the Hunter is a vibrant reflection of the region’s artistic talent and the creativity that continues to flourish within it.

Creative, Collaborative is an exhibition of recent work by seven artists associated with the Fibre Makers Space. The space, located in historic Brough House, is a dynamic hub dedicated to promoting the contemporary practice of traditional fibre arts. It has attracted a talented group of artists who share skills, practice their craft, and inspire one another. Cecily Mitchell Gallery Brough House 73 Church Street, Maitland Open Weekends 10:00am - 3:00pm This exhibition celebrates the artists diverse skills and techniques, their individual artistic visions and the creative possibilities of working with textiles.

‘When the Ground Shifts’ brings together a body of work by Wonnarua woman Jaimie Turner, shaped by connection and evolving relationships with Wonnarua Country, Ancestors and lived change. These works emerge from moments of movement, pressure, and transformation, where identity and culture form on shifting ground. Working across painting, weaving, textiles and sculpture, Turner bridges traditional knowledge with contemporary expression. Her practice honours cultural foundations while embracing personal experience, creative exploration and a deep respect for natural materials. Connection and Country remain constant shaping forces in Turner’s practice, acknowledging inherited and learned knowledge while allowing space for growth, adaptation and change. Through this balance, the works invite reflection on what holds, what endures, and what can be respectfully reshaped over time. They encourage deeper connection with, and renewed appreciation of, Aboriginal culture as living, dynamic and ongoing.

Established in 1958, the Muswellbrook Art Prize is a now $70,000 acquisitive award spanning three categories: painting, works on paper, and ceramics. With medium as the sole thematic focus, the Prize showcases the diverse subjects and practices of contemporary artists working throughout Australia. Astute adjudication of the Prize has yielded an impressive collection of modern and contemporary Australian art. Highlighting the Post War period of the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, these works form the foundation of the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. Along with Muswellbrook Shire Council, who since 1958 has acted as sponsor and administrator of the Muswellbrook Art Prize, Bengalla Mining Company has generously sponsored the Prize for over 30 years, their commitment ensuring the development of the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. Thank you to adjudicator of the 2026 Muswellbrook Art Prize, Scott Elliott, Assistant Curator of Australian Art, Art Gallery of NSW along with selection panel members, ceramicist Simon Reece, artist and creative producer Suzannah Jones, and Elissa Emerson, Director of the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre. A special thank you to all Prize Finalist of the 2026 Muswellbrook Art Prize.

Lost Landscapes offers a captivating journey through the defining moments of the late Gordon Rintoul’s extraordinary 60-year career. This retrospective not only traces the evolution of his artistic practice but also celebrates the enduring influence of his passion for artmaking and teaching across the Hunter region. Through these works, audiences are invited to contemplate the deep and dynamic connection between humanity and the natural world. Born in Young, NSW, Gordon Rintoul honed his craft in Sydney, Newcastle, and New York. Over six decades, he distinguished himself as both painter and educator, presenting more than 50 solo and group exhibitions. His works now grace regional galleries and private collections throughout Australia and beyond.