Members' Exhibition

Critical Mass: 2026 Umbrella Members’ Exhibition

Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts kicks off its 40th anniversary year with an opening exhibition that belongs to our members. The 2026 Members' Exhibition will arrives earlier than ever - a playful surprise to launch the anniversary celebrations with a bang!

Entries are now officially open at the bottom of this page.

The theme, Critical Mass, pays tribute to the sheer force of artists and art lovers who have shaped Umbrella over four decades. It speaks to the energy that builds when creative people gather – the spark that can shift perspectives, create change, and ripple through communities. The phrase carries multiple resonances: the weight of history and presence, the balancing act of form and concept, the push and pull between harmony and dissonance. Members are invited to interpret the theme broadly: with humour, urgency, intimacy or gravity, creating a true mass of critical, thoughtful and daring works.

Critical Mass will mark the beginning of a year-long celebration with a themed exhibition party. Dress code: Eighties Futurism. Expect sharp edges, neon dreams and retro-visions of the future as we launch into our 40th year with style!

Umbrella’s Members' Exhibition has always been about celebrating the breadth and brilliance of our creative community. For our milestone 40th, Critical Mass promises to be the most charged gathering yet. We can't wait to see how you interpret the exhibition and dress code themes!

Artists must be current Umbrella members to participate in this exhibition: Click here to join online. 
To ensure your entry is otherwise eligible, ensure you read the full updated conditions of entry listed above the entry form on this page. 

Key Dates

Entries close: 5pm Monday 19 January 2026

Artwork delivery: Thursday 22 - Sunday 25 January 2026 during usual open hours *

Exhibition opening launch: 6pm Friday 30 January 2026 *

Exhibition duration:  30 January - Sunday 1 March 2026

Collection of artworks: Monday 2 - Tuesday 3 March 2026 by appointment (made prior to Friday 27 February 2026); or from Tuesday 10 March 2026 onwards during usual gallery open hours.

* Please note that Umbrella will open the gallery shop for the listed artwork delivery dates. Umbrella's gallery and shop will otherwise be closed for the holidays until the exhibitions launch. See Umbrella's eNews, website and social media pages for any updates. 

The exhibition will again feature the following prizes:

$1,000 Art Prize
Generously sponsored by Bamford Community Care

The Studio Prize
FREE 3-month membership to The Studio 

Conditions of Entry

Eligibility

1. All entrants must be financial members of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts for the duration of the exhibition. Membership must be valid at the time of application and extend throughout the exhibition period. Entry is free for Umbrella members.
2. Artists of all experience levels and ages are welcome to apply.
3. Umbrella's staff and management committee may enter works, but they are ineligible to be awarded one of the exhibitions prizes.

Artwork requirements

4. Each member may submit one artwork only. It must be a singular artwork with only one title and one price.
5. Artworks must have been completed within 2025 or January 2026.
6. Artworks must respond to the exhibition theme, Critical Mass.
7. Entries must be the original and unaided work of the entrant member. You certify that you are the author / creator of the artwork and material submitted and / or supplied for this agreement, and ensure that you have the right, including all Moral Rights and consents, to deal with the associated Intellectual Property Rights. You certify that the artwork and the artwork concept is your own original work; that it does not, to the best of your knowledge, infringe the copyright or moral rights of any third party; and is a unique artwork loaned exclusively to Umbrella under this agreement. You certify as the artist that you are the owner of all copyright in the artwork or have obtained all necessary permissions to permit the uses of the artwork under this agreement. All intellectual copyright if applicable remains the property of the artist or copyright holder.
8. Works may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional and in any medium, however the maximum total size for artworks is 1.5m in any direction (including frame if applicable).
9. Works must be dry and exhibition-ready, with secure hanging systems or display supports provided by the artist. Artists must contact Umbrella staff before applying if intending to create particularly large, heavy, multimedia, multi-part and / or installation-based works. Unless an alternative display method has been discussed and approved prior to entry, the following limitations will apply:
a) For framed / hanging works, d-rings must be securely attached to the back (on both sides, down approximately one-third of the height of the work from the top). 
b) Unframed works on paper will be displayed with magnets or pins. 
c) For hanging artworks, a weight restriction of 10kg applies.
d) Sculptural works will be displayed on plinths or shelves.
e) Digital works will be displayed on a TV screen or projector.
Umbrella will endeavour to give first preference to artists who request a specific display method. 
10. If applicable, Cultural and Intellectual Property should be considered and explained in relation to the artwork entered. Umbrella is committed to fair and ethical dealings with artists, including acting in good conscience when exhibiting, promoting or otherwise working with Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) in the arts. This commitment extends to upholding industry protocols; including those listed here; and similarly supporting the integrity of art forms from other cultures. This aims to prevent alteration, distortion or misuse of traditional symbols, songs, dances, performances and story that may be part of the heritage of particular groups without permission. The artist must similarly be committed to upholding this level of integrity and agree to adhere to the listed protocols if applicable. Non-Indigenous artists proposing artworks for development which contain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander subject matter, or First Nations artists proposing artworks for development which contain subject matter from a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group other than their own, should explain their methodology for obtaining permission to use ICIP. Similarly, artists should explain their methodology for obtaining permission to use any other cultural and intellectual property than their own if applicable.
11. Works that have been created by using prompts in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program must then be altered, manipulated or reproduced digitally or by hand. For transparency, please indicate that AI was used to help create your work in the ‘artwork medium’ section of the entry form. If using AI to prompt your work, please use ethical AI services where permission has been granted by all artists whose work was included in the training model. Works solely generated by an AI program will not be included in the exhibition.
12. Umbrella reserves the right to reject entries or works that are deemed unsafe, offensive, unsuitable for display, or those which do not otherwise comply with the conditions of entry.

Sales and insurance

13. The arrangement for sales is one of consignment. If Umbrella sells a work, the artist will receive a payment less 40% commission. Payment to the artist will be made within 30 days after the artwork collection date.
14. Artworks can be listed as NFS (not for sale), or for a sale price of $20 or higher (which is a rounded dollar figure). This minimum is set to account for administration on sales and to not undervalue artworks. The artist should provide a total retail price which takes into consideration the Umbrella commission, and GST if applicable.
15. While staff and volunteers take the utmost care and the gallery is monitored, Umbrella does not provide insurance for Members’ Exhibition artworks. Artists are responsible for their own insurance if desired, and for considering the vulnerability of their work.

Entry process

16. Entries must be submitted online via Umbrella’s website by 5pm Monday 19 January 2026.
17. No late entries will be accepted.
18. Noting Condition #4, if an artist submits a second entry (i.e. to update the photo or text), the most recent submission will be accepted to replace the first entry.

Delivery, install and artwork collection

19. Delivery of artworks must occur between Thursday 22 and Sunday 25 January 2026, during Umbrella’s usual open hours, to Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts at 408 Flinders Street, Gurambilbarra / Townsville QLD 4810. Works may be accepted prior to these dates only due to extenuating circumstances and by prior arrangement with the exhibition curator. If the artwork is not received by the deadline, the entry will be terminated.
20. Upon delivery, each work must have a label attached which clearly identifies the artist's name and the full artwork details. 
21. The arrangement and expenses for the delivery and collection of entries are the responsibility of the entrant. If the artist is organising for someone else to deliver or collect the work on their behalf, the artist must notify Umbrella staff of the person's name and details in advance.
22. All artworks must be available to be exhibited for the entire duration of the exhibition, and any work sold will not be permitted to be collected until after the exhibition has closed.
23. Umbrella is responsible for preparing the gallery for the installation of the artwork. The curator will consider the artist’s requests but ultimately determine the positioning of the artwork in accordance with curatorial priorities and the overarching exhibition design.
24. Collection of artworks is available on Monday 2 – Tuesday 3 March 2026 by appointment (booked before Friday 27 February 2026), or from Tuesday 10 March 2026 onwards during gallery open hours. Works not collected within 30 days may be disposed of at Umbrella’s discretion.

Exhibition and opening

25. The exhibition will run from Friday 30 January to Sunday 1 March 2026.
26. The opening launch will be held at 6pm Friday 30 January 2026, with a themed Eighties Futurism party.
27. By submitting an entry, artists agree to their work being displayed for the full exhibition period.

Prizes and Opportunities

28. Current members whose work adheres to all above terms and conditions constitute an eligible entry, are automatically accepted, and qualify for consideration in the awards, per further conditions below.
29. A $1,000 Art Prize will be awarded to one entrant’s work as chosen by the guest judge/s, generously sponsored by Bamford Community Care.
30. The Studio Prize (a free 3-month membership to The Studio) will be awarded to one entrant’s work as chosen by the guest judge/s. Artists must reside in the North Queensland region to be eligible for this prize. This prize is subject to the standard terms of use for The Studio, which will be outlined during a mandatory induction. The free membership includes access to the shared spaces and equipment (including printmaking and black and white photography facilities). The membership start and end dates will be negotiated with the recipient based on induction availability and training if required, however must be redeemed within 1 year of being awarded to the artist. The 3 months also act as a probationary period for further ongoing paid usage, if desired. 
31. All decisions made by the judge/s are final.

Photography and Promotion

32. The artist authorises Umbrella, Umbrella’s partners and Umbrella’s funding bodies to use the works, and document and promote the works by granting a permanent, irrevocable, free, worldwide and non-exclusive licence (including a right of sub-licence) for the following purposes for each work in the schedule for the following purposes:
a) displaying or exhibiting the work in public
b) promoting the work:
- by having a digital image or / photograph or video of the work made which is then provided to or made available to the public or to clients
- by publishing a digital image or / photograph or video of the work on Umbrella’s website, social media platforms, newsletters and other platforms
- printing an image of the work and displaying or distributing to a mailing list for no charge
- other uses of a similar nature to those outlined above that are made as part of promoting the work.
33. The artist acknowledges that visitors to the exhibition are permitted to take photographs and videos of the works.
34. The artist agrees that Umbrella is not liable in any way for any breaches of the artist’s rights in the work which are committed by third parties to this agreement.  The artist allows Umbrella to keep image and video documentation of the works on file for beyond the scope of the sale or loan of works outlined for promotion of Umbrella and for the purposes of promoting other works by the artist.
35. None of these uses of the work are intended to detract from any moral right of the artist. This licence excludes Secret and Sacred material and any information which is noted as confidential. If the artist has a concern in respect of their moral rights in the works, the artist is invited to raise that concern with Umbrella.

Entry tips

- Draft your application in a Word processing document (e.g. Microsoft Word, Pages or Google Docs) and save it. This will ensure that you have it as a back up if there is a glitch with your computer or the online form. 
- Complete all fields of the form marked with asterisks * - these are mandatory fields and your application will not submit without them. 
- Please include a high quality photograph of your artwork. You may like to consider hiring a professional photographer. 

Roomviews from Proof: 2025 Umbrella Members' Exhibition. Photographs: Amanda Galea. 

Power: 2021 Umbrella Members’ Exhibition room view.

Future Theme Suggestions

Previous themes:

2025 - Power
2024 - Artificial
2023 - Time and Space
2022 - Cats vs Dogs
2021 - Power
2020 - The Future
2019 - Belonging
2018 - This is not the end
2017 - Drive
2016 - Generation
2015 - Technicolour
2014 - Memory
2013 - Natura
2012 - Black & White
2011 - Eleven
2010 - Evolve
2009 - E-Wasted
2008 - Clean Slate
2007 - Finger Licking Good!
2006 - Chair 
2005 - Hooray for Brollywood!! 
2004 - Birthdays
2003 - Construction Deconstruction
2002 - Games
2001 - Parallax
2000 - Wet ‘n’ Dry
1999 - Propaganda
1998 - Bridge
1997 - Relocation
1996 - Nourish