Discover Art by the River at Sculpture on Mary
The banks of the Mary River will come alive with art, music and creativity when Sculpture on Mary transforms The Sands, Gympie into an outdoor sculpture gallery on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
Presented by Loose Knit Productions as part of the Gympie Region Studio Trails, the free community event invites visitors to experience contemporary sculpture in one of Gympie’s most picturesque natural settings.
The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of outdoor sculptures by regional artists alongside five major sculptural installations, including newly commissioned works by Kathleen Hunt, Miriam Innes, Alicia Murphy and Joolie Gibbs, and Peter Herrington.
Each commissioned artwork has been inspired by the Mary River and its unique catchment, exploring themes of environment, sustainability and our relationship with the natural landscape. Created as ephemeral, site-responsive works, the sculptures encourage audiences to experience the river in new and thought-provoking ways.
Exhibition Producer Nicole Harper said Sculpture on Mary offers a new way for people to engage with both art and the environment.
“The Mary River is one of Gympie’s greatest natural assets. Sculpture on Mary invites people to slow down, explore the riverside and experience artworks that celebrate the beauty, ecology and stories of this remarkable place. We hope it inspires people to think differently about how art can activate our public spaces while connecting us to the environment.“
The exhibition is open 10.00am to 4.00pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with a range of free public activities throughout the weekend.
On Saturday 18 July, visitors can join a Walk and Talk with the Producer and Commissioned Artists at 3.00pm, followed by an afternoon of live music by Zac Gunthorpe from 4.00pm to 5.30pm. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, rug or chair and relax beside the river while enjoying original music amongst the sculptures.
On Sunday 19 July, audiences can hear directly from the commissioned artists through a series of free artist talks:
- 10.30am – Alicia Murphy (including a demonstration)
- 11.30am – Joolie Gibbs
- 12.30pm – Kathleen Hunt
- 1.30pm – Miriam Innes
Located at The Sands, the exhibition is easily accessible from the nearby car park or via the River to Rail Trail from Hyne Street and Bridge Street, making it an ideal stop during the Gympie Region Studio Trails weekend.
Sculpture on Mary is a pilot initiative exploring the future of public art across Gympie’s tracks, trails and natural spaces, creating opportunities for artists while encouraging the community to connect with the region’s unique landscapes.
Sculpture on Mary
18–19 July 2026
10.00am–4.00pm daily
The Sands, Mary River, Gympie
Free Entry
Artists and audiences can find out more at: https://loose-knit.my.canva.site/sculpture-on-mary or via Gympie Region Studio Trails.
This project is supported by funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Gympie Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
This project was also made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia and administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.
Thanks to support from Queensland Hydro.