Collection Highlights & History

	Artists' Books Artspace Mackay holds the largest collection of artists’ books in Australia outside the capital cities. The collection was founded in 1995 by Mackay City Library and has grown to over 600 works by artists of local, national and international significance.

	Lyre Bird Press To commemorate the 2002 opening of Artspace Mackay, Tate Adams, artist and one of the founders of Lyre Bird Press, donated the Lyre Bird Press Archive to Mackay Regional Council. This includes a significant number of artist books, bookplates and ephemera.

	Public Art Featuring the riverside Bluewater Trail of sculptures by major Australian artists, there are over 100 public artworks currently on permanent display throughout Mackay.

	Lockhart River Art Gang The 2006 gift donated by former directors of Lockhart River Art Centre, Fran and Geoff Barker, through the Cultural Gifts Program, includes 43 prints and one painting by artists including Rosella Namok, Fiona Omeenyo, Samantha Hobson and Sammy Clarmont.

	Pioneer Potters Founded in 1975 by local artists including Rick Wood, the Pioneer Potters acquired their pottery collection through seminars, workshops and an annual acquisitive award that attracted local, national and international artists. In 2006 the Pioneer Potters gifted this collection of 64 ceramic works to Mackay Regional Council Art Collection.

For an extended history of the council art collection click here...