Critical Mass
30 January - 1 March 2026
Critical Mass
2026 Umbrella Members’ Exhibition
Exhibition branding by Daniel Qualischefski.
Critical Mass marks the beginning of a year-long celebration for Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts’ 40th anniversary. The theme pays tribute to the sheer force of artists and art lovers who have shaped Umbrella. It speaks to the energy that builds when creative people gather – the spark that can shift perspectives, create change, and ripple through communities. The phrase carries multiple resonances: the weight of history and presence, the balancing act of form and concept, the push and pull between harmony and dissonance. Members have been invited to interpret the theme broadly: with humour, urgency, intimacy or gravity, creating a true mass of critical, thoughtful and daring works.
Umbrella’s Members' Exhibition has always been about celebrating the breadth and brilliance of our creative community. For our milestone 40th, Critical Mass promises to be the most charged gathering yet.
Exhibiting artists:
Alison McDonald • Amanda Galea • Amy Jewell • Ann Bartholomeusz • Ann Vardanega • Anne Cole • ASads Amanda Sadler • Ashleigh Jane • Athena Costopoulos • Barbara Cheshire • Barbara Pierce • Bernadette Boscacci • Charlotte McDonnell • Christine Burry • Cluey Suey • Dahé Wie • Daniel Clark • Danish Quapoor • Dave Morrissey • Donna Foley • DOOMS • Dyana Rogers • Elaine Harrison • Emma Dutton • Emma Eriksen • Fiona Banner • Geoffrey Schmidt • Graeme Buckley • Hannah Aiello • Jan Hynes • Jenny Bowmer • Jenny Mulcahy • Jenny Tyack • Jill O'Sullivan • Joy Manly • Julie Stark • Justin Bishop • Karen Landt-Isley • Karyn Payne • Katherine Cornwall • Katya Venter • Krystal Knafl • Laura Amy Bryce • Laurna Love • Leigh Chalker • Lisa Ashcroft • Lisa Gianni • Lorraine Lowe • Luke Westwood • Lyn Onton • Lynn Scott-Cumming • Mardi Saker • Margaret Robertson • Marilyn Griffin • Marion Gaemers • Marionne van Katwijk • Matilda Mathieu • Maureen Alsop • Meg Allford • Michelle McGuinn • Michelle Weaver • Mona Messmer • Natalie Ward • Nicola Bryars-Parker • Nicola Newman • Paula Clancy • Peta Berghofer • Rebekah Lisciandro • Rhonda Stevens • Rose Watts • Sam Rundle • Sandy Fisher • Seppo Hautaniemi • Sharron Condren • Sheree Kinlyside and Alan Carpenter • Susan Swaddling • Susan Thomson • Sylvia Ditchburn • Sylvia Hewitt • Theodore Kennett-Raj • Uli Liessmann • Ute Herrmann • Vanessa Zoe Power • Vicki Katthagen • Wendy Hume • Wing Hong Leung • Yvonne Dutton
We were thrilled to celebrate the winners of the 2026 prizes at the exhibitions launch 6-8pm Friday 30 January. Umbrella thanks Councillor Brady Ellis (Townsville City Council) for opening the exhibition and judging the best dressed prize. We also thank DJ Felix, and the art prize judges Jo Lankester (Artist and Acting Galleries Director, Townsville City Galleries) and Merissa Martinez (Co-Chair, North Australian Festival of Arts / NAFA) for their expertise and for selecting and announcing the winners.
$1,000 Art Prize
Generously sponsored by Bamford Community Care
Winner
Nicola Newman - It's both helpful to know what it likely is, and also a period of grieving, as I honestly never expected it to be this way
Highly Commended
Alison McDonald - Lingchi on art
Ann Vardanega - Fallen
Geoffrey Schmidt - The critical mass of an existential crisis N0 9
Katherine Cornwall - Unfurling
Marion Gaemers - aMaze
The Studio Prize
FREE 3-month membership to The Studio
Winner
Karyn Payne - When was the date of your last period?
Eighties Futurism Best Dressed Prize
Sam Rundle - $200 Umbrella Voucher
Visit Umbrella to see instant photos from the launch displayed, featuring attendees' outfits for this theme.
Also on display during this period
All Exhibitions30 January -
1 March 2026
Open Hours
Tues - Fri: 9am-5pm
Sat - Sun: 9am-1pm
Gallery closed Mondays, public holidays and during exhibition install weeks.
Follow our social media for updates.
Contact
408 Flinders Street,
Gurambilbarra / Townsville,
Qld, 4810 Australia
PO Box 2394,
Gurambilbarra / Townsville,
Qld, 4810 Australia
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Acknowledgement of Country
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts respectfully acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the surrounding groups of our region - Bindal, Gugu Badhun, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin and Gudjal - as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, share and celebrate local creative practice. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and Culture.
Umbrella is a Member & Signatory of the Indigenous Art Code. This means we are committed to fair and ethical trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and transparency in the promotion and sale of artwork. As a Dealer Member and signatory to the Code we must act fairly, honestly, professionally and in good conscience in all direct or indirect dealings with artists.
Help Us Elevate Regional Artists
We champion artists, amplifying their distinctive and authentic voices. We are an inclusive platform for independent, experimental, contemporary arts practice in local, national, and international arts landscapes. We have a 39 year history of connecting artists and audiences and we couldn't do it without your support.
Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) with the Australian Taxation Office. Donations to Umbrella are tax deductible for amounts of $2 or more. Click here to donate.
Acknowledgements
Umbrella is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Education, and the Visual Art, Craft and Design Framework, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments. | Umbrella is supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receives funding from Creative Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund. | Townsville City Council is a funding partner of Umbrella's program. | Vetta Creative is Umbrella's fortieth anniversary creative partner.
