RICArts Arthouse & Gallery
Russell Island Community Arts is a not-for-profit community arts centre and gallery, situated in the beautiful Southern Moreton Bay Islands. We provide a wide range of creative arts workshops to members and the wider community, run by established local artists. The Gallery curates an exhibition program year-round, encouraging local, inter-island and mainland visitors to enjoy this unique creative haven.
Access and Inclusion Statement
RICArts is dedicated to providing a safe, accessible and enjoyable visit for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. Our venue has ramp access to the first floor office, gallery, workshop space, and accessible bathroom. The ground floor pottery studio has a step-free entry. The parking area is close to the entrances. Assistance animals are warmly welcomed throughout the property. Our volunteer staff are always happy to discuss individual needs - please contact us prior to arrival so we can work together to ensure the best possible experience.
Membership
RICArts is a membership-based organisation that warmly welcomes new members on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to have ever growing and vibrant art groups, with each member feeling encouraged to express their individual talent in a safe and community-oriented environment.
Membership Application
Becoming a member of RICArts involves agreeing to a Code of Conduct and volunteering for at least 4 hours per year. There is an annual membership fee of $30 or $25 concession. Please complete the form and email to secretary.ricarts@gmail.com
Classes and Workshops
We offer ongoing 'standard' weekly classes, as well as 'special' workshops.
For all enquiries/bookings, email secretary.ricarts@gmail.com (unless the class description states that the Tutor is to be contacted directly).
RICArts welcomes Expressions of Interest from Artists/Tutors to run workshops/classes - All EOIs must be submitted to RICArts Committee for review and approval.
Ongoing Weekly Classes
There is a daily attendance fee for all ongoing, standard weekly classes of $7 per class, per visit. This goes towards running costs. Special Workshops may attract different fees, which will be stated in the detailed Workshop description below this weekly list.
Mondays
Pottery (Beginners to Advanced): 9.30am – 12.30pm (Self-guided, no Tutor)
Tuesdays
Sculpting (Clay work by hand): 9am – 4pm (with Tutor)
Art in any medium: 9.30am – 12.30pm (Self-guided, no Tutor)
Ukulele: 12.30pm – 3pm (with Tutor)
Wednesday
Patchwork / Sewing / Craft: 9.30am – 12.30pm (with Tutor)
Woodworking & Creative Carving: 9am – 12pm (with Tutor)
Thursday
Mosaics: 9.30am – 12pm (with Tutor)
Sculpting (Clay work by hand): 9.30am – 12.30pm (Self-guided, no Tutor)
Friday
Pottery (Wheel Throwing): 9.30am – 12.30pm (with Tutor)
Sunday
Painting in Abstraction: 9.30am – 12.30pm (with Tutor)
Introducing Scratchboard with Marloes Bakker Marsden
Date: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Time: 9.30am — 12.30pm
Cost: $40 + Materials Kit $35 (professional grade SB kit to use in the classroom and to take home).
Tutor: Marloes Bakker Marsden
NOTE: Both email & payment are required to confirm your spot
This fascinating medium can create amazing artworks in black and white. You will learn how to transfer images easily, the strokes and tools used to make interesting scratches and create the different effects, stippling, or textures for fur or feathers. Learn how to approach these textures and explore the various tools as you create your own artwork. For those of you who have already started their scratchboard journey we will ensure that there are sufficient challenges to keep it interesting and your skills improving.
NOTE: Both email & payment are required to confirm your spot
LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE—BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!
Please email secretary.ricarts@gmail.com
Slip Casting Clay Workshop
Date: Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 November 2026
Time: 9am — 3pm
Cost: $50. Includes materials, firing and glazing of your piece.
Tutor: Robyn Joargensen
NOTE: Both email & payment are required to confirm your spot
Please email secretary.ricarts@gmail.com
Are you interested in learning more about the craft of potters? Well, this workshop could be what you're looking for!
Slip casting is a ceramic forming technique, typically used to form complicated shapes like figurative ceramics that would be difficult to reproduce by hand or other forming techniques.
Create & Connect - Art Morning
Ongoing Workshops: Every Tuesday (can join at any time)
9:30am - 12:30pm
Cost: $7 per workshop
Self-guided, no Tutor
Come and join like-minded arty people for a chat and a coffee while having creative fun! Bring along your own materials for work in any medium - beginners and more experienced artists welcome!
Enquiries email secretary.ricarts@gmail.com
On The Wheel - Pottery Beginners
Ongoing Workshops: From Friday 5 June, then every Friday (can join at any time)
9:30am - 12:30pm
Cost: $35 per class plus materials (+ cost of clay around $6 on the day)
Tutor: Maria Cleary
Always wanted to try your hand at the wheel? Join Maria on Friday mornings to learn the basics, then level up if you are keen.
Bookings essential via Maria (only 3 places available in each class).
Email (preferred): ideamaria01@gmail.com
Phone (leave a message): 0419 711 871
Sculpting with Clay
Ongoing workshops: Every Tuesday (can join at any time)
9am - 4pm
Cost: $35 per class plus materials (materials can be purchased on class day)
Tutor: Robyn Joargensen
Hand building with clay - all you are limited by is your imagination!
For all enquiries email secretary.ricarts@gmail.com
Woodworking & Creative Carving
Ongoing Workshops: Every Wednesday (can join at any time)
9am - 12pm
Cost: $7 per workshop
Tutor: Rick Stanley
These weekly workshops are designed with a focus on introducing all participants, regardless of experience or skill levels, to the basics of shaping wood, wood burning and other small techniques. This is a relaxed group activity and an opportunity to explore the form, share experiences and skills, work on group projects, and encourage creativity through working with timber. If you are a RICArts member there is an attendance fee of $5 per class, per visit.
For safety reasons please wear closed toed shoes. If you have any woodcarving tools, feel free to bring them along, but this is not a necessary requirement for the first workshop.
For all enquiries email secretary.ricarts@gmail.com
Knitting Workshop
Ongoing Workshops: Every Wednesday from 22 April (can join at any time)
9:30am - 12:30pm
Cost: $7 per workshop
Tutor: Wendy Frost
Bring your own 5.00mm needles (no. 8), learners wool supplied
Join RICArts Craft Team! Are you ready to dive into the wonderful world of knitting? Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, our knitting workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn and create in a fun and supportive environment.
Basic Knitting techniques, reading patterns, projects for beginners and advanced skill levels, troubleshooting and more.
For all enquiries email secretary.ricarts@gmail.com
Markmaking Workshop
Date: Sunday 22 November 2026
Time: 10am — 2pm
Tutor: Tricia Dobson
Cost $50 including all materials. Please pay cash or card on the day
Bookings essential:
P: Tricia 0409 109 569
A workshop exploring a diverse range of markmaking techniques and materials. You will leave the workshop with a small framed, finished artwork and a sketchbook for future work!
Our Tutors
Robyn Joargensen
Tutor, Pottery/Hand Sculpting
Maria Cleary
Tutor, Pottery Wheel Throwing
Wendy Frost
Tutor, Patchwork and Craft
Sandra Butler
Tutor, Mosaics
Eric Broome
Tutor, Painting in Abstraction
Tricia Dobson
Tutor, Weaving
Rick Stanley
Tutor, Woodwork and Creative Carving
Maxine Thompson
Tutor, Pastels
Current and Upcoming Events & Exhibitions
5th Annual Out of the Flame Exhibition
Featuring a huge variety of work created in the thriving RICArts ceramics/pottery workshop program, the "Out of the Flame" exhibition promises to "Ignite your Imagination!" This year we are also celebrating the installation of our long awaited new kiln shed! Come along and join our community of potters at the Gala Opening on Saturday 3 October from 4pm.
Exhibition Dates: 3 - 18 October 2026
En Plein Air Exhibition
"The Veil Between Worlds" - an Exhibition lifting the veil between the natural world and the world seen through the Artist's eye.
Exhibition Dates: 24 October - 9 November 2026
Gala Opening: Saturday 24 October, 4pm - 6pm
Welcome to my World - Exhibition by Robyn Joargensen
Featuring a selection of handcrafted textiles, paintings and ceramics by award winning artist Robyn Joargensen, this exhibition promises to be a showstopper! The materials are the Storyteller - visit this eclectic and unique exhibition and be transported to a different world!
Gala Opening: Friday 27 November, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Exhibition Dates: 24 - 30 November, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Exhibition Preview Dates: 24 - 26 November, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Bella & Zed's Exhibition
Featuring a selection of 2D & 3D creative wonders by local Artists Bella Curlew and Stephen Foote. All welcome to the opening event on Saturday 14 November from 5pm.
Exhibition Dates: 13 - 22 November 2026
Open daily from 9:30am to 12:30pm
Exhibition Application
RICArts welcomes Expressions of Interest from Artists/Groups to hold exhibitions in our gallery - All EOIs must be submitted to RICArts Committee for review and approval.
The space includes the main gallery area, the hallway (Gallery 2) and the smaller gallery (Gallery 3) off the hallway.
The gallery has a hanging system installed, adjustable track lighting, and a number of display plinths available.
Our Community
The Bakehouse
Come and see why Islanders are raving about THE BAKEHOUSE at RICArts! Sweet and savoury home baked goodies will be available on the front verandah of the gallery on the 2nd Sunday each month, to coincide with the fabulous Sunrise Market Day. Nothing over $10!
ART & CRAFT STALL
The newest fundraising initiative for RICArts is the ART & CRAFT STALL at SUNRISE MARKETS! Everything has been handmade and kindly donated by RICArts members. Happening the 2nd Sunday each month.
Sunrise Markets
Set in the gorgeous grounds of RICArts is the monthly Sunrise Markets, held every 2nd Sunday from 8am to 12 noon. Come along and enjoy Rosie's coffee, a treat from the Bakehouse stall, while browsing the amazing mix of wares on offer! If you're lucky, the wonderful RICArts Ukelele group will also be playing!
Previous 2026 Exhibitions & Events
Metamorphosis: A Creative Evolution
The Gala Opening of RICArts Annual Art Exhibition & Competition saw the presentation of awards to the three winners:
1st Place: Jane Hooper for "Blueprint for a Sanctuary"
2nd Place: Lynne Astill for "Genesis - the Coming into Being"
3rd Place: Sorour Fattahi for "Endarkened Rose"
THANK YOU!
to our Sponsors Sealink Bay Islands, Bay Islands Transport and Lop Chop Chip
to our judges Shane Rendalls and Troy White
to Jon Jass and the Cue Stick Band
Canaipa Connections Exhibition
A diverse range of mediums and styles were on display in this collection of works created at, or inspired by, the group of Artists' annual retreat on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah).
Exhibition Dates: 15 - 30 August 2026
Gala Opening: Saturday 15 August, 3pm
Laurie Eastough 'La Jasper' Exhibition
Stunning oil paintings by long time RICArts member and Islander Laurie Eastough
Exhibition Dates: 16 July - 9 August
Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse Competition and Exhibition
The Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse Competition & Exhibition opened in style on Friday, 22 May, with an evening gala and awards presentation celebrating the art of recycling. Proudly presented by RICArts in partnership with Bob Turner and Bernard Demeester, and as part of the Redlands Coast AdventureFest, the annual event invited artists, designers, and recycling enthusiasts to turn discarded materials into remarkable works of art.
This year’s exhibition showcased 75 artworks from 30 local artists, each piece a unique blend of creativity and environmental consciousness. Visitors can explore how art can inspire sustainable living, proving that beauty and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Award Winners
Judged by Darren Goleby (Alkatraz Artz, Macleay Island) and Cindy Jensen (The Friendly Bay Islander), the 2026 winners were:
First Place: Aaliya “Arlo” Ruthenberg – “Jethro”, a sculpture made from recycled cardboard, styrofoam, and paper.
Second Place: Jane Hooper – “For small creatures such as we”, a shadow box incorporating the ashes and fur of the artist’s dog Billy, flowers and a photo frame made from a used book, and Billy’s favourite toys.
People’s Choice Award: Andre Gravett - "Greg and Doris", recycled metal shovels
Sponsor Acknowledgement
RICArts gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Marley’s Landscape and Building Supplies (Dan and Michelle Golin), whose sponsorship helped make this event possible.
Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) Art Trail
The inaugural 2026 SMBI Art Trail will become an annual celebration of art and creativity across the islands. It is one creative umbrella that brings together artists from multiple disciplines to showcase their artworks, engage and connect with the community, as well as invite visitors to explore the SMBI.
ALL ENQUIRIES to artistsamida@yahoo.com.au
Members' Exhibition 2026
Showcasing works created by RICArts members, this exhibition featured an incredible display of creative talent across a wide range of styles and mediums - including ceramics, painting, drawing, mosaics, patchwork, sculpture, photography, wood and metal work and more!
Contact Us
Address
23 Robert St, Russell Island QLD 4184, Australia
Operating Hours
9:30am - 12:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). If an exhibition is on in the gallery, we are also open on weekends, 9.30am - 12.30pm. Check Current Exhibitions section for details.
Our Committee
The last AGM of the Russell Island Community Arts Centre was held on Saturday 30 August 2025. 2025/26 Committee Members are:
Steve Asker
President
Dolores Johnston
Treasurer
Eileen Munn
Secretary
Jane Hooper
Exhibition/Event Coordinator
Siobhan Demeester
Ukulele Representative
Sandra Butler
Mosaics Representative
Wendy Frost
Patchwork Representative
Julie Menzies
Art Representative
Our Sponsors
