FLAME 2026 – Future 150

Venue: Tanks Arts Centre

2026 FLAME Visual Program Exhibition
Launch: 5:30pm, Fri 27 Feb – all welcome
Exhibition: 27 Feb - 29 Mar 2026

FLAME 2026 – Future 150 is the exhibition outcome of the FLAME Visual program, providing young artists the opportunity and skills to explore their arts practice and maintain a creative life.

Now in its tenth year, the FLAME Visual program continues its mission to empower the next generation of artists. Designed to build confidence, spark curiosity and nurture long‑term creative practice, the program supports young people to develop skills, insights and experiences that will carry well beyond their school years.

Tanks Arts Centre fostered a holistic ‘creative life’ approach, connecting participants with four established artists; Holly Mervyn‑Jones, Jamie Cole, Maharlina Gorospe‑Lockie and Mum’a Nai, who acted as creative mediators and mentors. Over three months, through hands‑on learning, experimentation and peer‑to‑peer collaboration, young artists expanded their technical abilities and deepened their artistic expression, working collectively toward this exhibition.

In honour of the 150‑year anniversary of Cairns, this year’s cohort responded to the theme Future 150. Their works explore the intersections of past, present and imagined futures, offering bold, personal and forward‑looking perspectives from the region’s emerging voices.


The FLAME Visual project is proudly supported by the generosity of benefactor Paul Matthews, whose ongoing commitment makes this program possible.

Young Creatives: Abi Beckwith, Alarna Denigan, Bianca Sordelli, Cody Stauder, Dervla Hammett-Ryan, Eli Sheardown, Elina Passant, Elleni Geena Adams, Erin McKellar, Georgia Mansell, Hamish Darveniza, Harriet Mills, Indi Turley, Kaier Brown-Ling, Kianna Morris-Clarke, Kyla Molina, Leila-Grace Shepherd, Madison Wiltshire, Matilda Rose Hood, Matthew Nelson, Mia Blu Honeyman, Monique Gawne, Naiya Duff, Phoebe Slade, Sarah Beath

Creative Mediators: Jamie Cole, Mum'a Nai (Naomi Evans), Holly Mervyn-Jones, Maharlina Gorospe-Lockie

Venue: Tank 4
Opens: Mon-Fri 9.00am - 4.30pm, Sat-Sun 10.00am - 2.00pm

Image: Experimental Skull Zine (detail), Sienna O'Connor, 2025.

Other upcoming events for this venue 'Tanks Arts Centre'
	Sun, 6th Sep 2026 Catch of the Day! 9:00AM Tanks Arts Centre		Thu, 10th Sep 2026 Phil Jamieson Phil Jamieson 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre
	Fri, 18th Sep 2026 Vika & Linda "Where Do You Come From?" 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre		Sat, 19th Sep 2026 Tiki Taane - One Man Band Tiki Taane 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre
	Sat, 26th Sep 2026 Yoga & Live Music Jesse & Dari Satsanga Sanctuary 8:00AM Tanks Arts Centre		Sat, 26th Sep 2026 Yoga & Live Music Jesse & Dari Satsanga Sanctuary 10:00AM Tanks Arts Centre
	Sun, 27th Sep 2026 Sunny Coast Rude Boys Sunny Coast Rude Boys 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre		Mon, 28th Sep 2026 Teeny Tiny Stevies - Brain Fart Regional Tour 2026 TEENY TINY STEVIES 10:30AM Tanks Arts Centre
	Fri, 2nd Oct 2026 Mood Swing & Chevy Bass Mood Swing & Chevy Bass 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre		Tue, 6th Oct 2026 Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase 2026 Sydney Comedy Festival 7:30PM Tanks Arts Centre
	Fri, 9th Oct 2026 Understory High Film Festival UNDERSTORY HIGH 7:00PM Tanks Arts Centre		Fri, 16th Oct 2026 Lior with Camerata Lior with Camerata 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre
	Sat, 17th Oct 2026 2026 North Queesland Sportstar Awards North Queensland Sportstar Awards 6:00PM Tanks Arts Centre		Sat, 24th Oct 2026 Melbourne Ska Orchestra: Monte Loco Rides Again MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA 7:00PM Tanks Arts Centre
	Fri, 30th Oct 2026 The Next Wave: Enter Stage Right The Next Wave 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre		Sat, 31st Oct 2026 Tullara - Rebound Album Launch Tullara 7:00PM Tanks Arts Centre
	Sat, 7th Nov 2026 Bullhorn + Fat Picnic 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre		Sat, 21st Nov 2026 Understory Film Festival Screening and Awards Presentation 2026 UNDERSTORY FILM FESTIVAL 7:00PM Tanks Arts Centre
	Fri, 27th Nov 2026 Tex Perkins & Matt Walker TEX PERKINS & MATT WALKER 7:15PM Tanks Arts Centre