Tank 4
Launch: 5:30pm, Fri 27 Feb – all welcomeExhibition: 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.
Image: Experimental Skull Zine (detail), Sienna O'Connor, 2025.
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