Emerald Art Gallery

“Rapt in Rubyvale” – Maxine Wild & Gaye Steel

‘Rapt in Rubyvale’ an exhibition of paintings by local artists Gaye Steel and Maxine Wild of painting showing the delights and quirks of the small sapphire mining town of Rubyvale, where the two artists live. It’s casual beauty is often unnoticed. This exhibition attempts to show the “other side” of a mining town and it’s surrounds.

The large collection of plein-air oil paintings will hang until June 16 and be open for viewing during office hours. En Plein Air painting originated with the French impressionist movement of the 1860s.

Like the artists such as Monet, Manet, and Van Gogh, Maxine and Gaye say they prefer painting en plein air (in the open air) where they are able to capture the colour and light of the scene more readily than when painting from a photograph.

Gaye and Maxine began their project in 2020 and could be seen painting during the winter months around Rubyvale township and surrounding sites from Mt Leura to Boot and Kettle Creek.

Their paintings aim to capture not only the quiet beauty of the surrounding country but the quirky charm of the mining town and its environs.

Exhibition on display from Monday 15 May – Friday 16 June 2023

Gallery opening Hours: Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.00pm

2023 CHRC Annual Youth Art Awards

This exhibition celebrates the talent of our young artists across the Central Highlands. Artists between the ages of 5 and 25 have entered their artworks into the awards for judging across 5 age group categories.

This year, judge Melissa Peacock from CQ Regional Arts Services Network (CQRASN), will have a tough choice deciding first and second prize winners for each of the categories. The People’s Choice Award will again be decided via an online poll on Have Your Say Central Highlands.

Entries are still open until 2 June 2023 at 5pm. For more information or to download the entry forms head to Annual Art Awards – Youth Awards – Central Highlands Regional Council (chrc.qld.gov.au)

Join us for the night and awards presentation on Friday 23rd June at 6.00pm

Exhibition on display 26 June – 21 July 2023

Gallery opening hours: Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.00pm

Opening hours

Monday: 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM
Tuesday: 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM
Wednesday: 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM
Thursday: 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM
Friday: 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

The Central Highlands Regional Council Annual Art Awards – Emerald, is the gallery’s premier art event. It attracts local and national artists and is held in August each year as part of council’s Arts around August program.

Established and emerging artists of all ages can submit entries in up to seven categories. From easel, paper-based and three-dimensional works to photography and digital art, each category comes with a $750 prize for first and $250 prize for second place.

For information on exhibiting with the Emerald Art Gallery contact us on 1300 242 686 or email chgalleries@chrc.qld.gov.au