The second exhibition of the year is a vibrant display of colour, reflecting Regan O'Neill's attitude to her painting and her enthusiasm for her surroundings. She says that living in Cairns is the only motivation needed for her to pick up her brushes, as she is surrounded by so many beautiful places, and everywhere she looks she see ideas for her paintings.

The opening of the exhibition was a successful event, with crowds thronging the gallery for the evening. Several of Regan's works were sold on the night. The exhibition, called Creative Expression will run until June 2nd and is kindly sponsored by REMAX Real Estate.

Jennene's exhibition featured an eclectic collection of her work, including examples of portraiture, Jennene's current focus. But not all were portraits, and the good crowd at the opening of the gallery's first exhibition of the year were able to see other examples of Jennene's work, all oils, with an emphasis on flowers, animals and teddy bears. Iconic animals of the Far North proved to be popular, with realistic frogs and crocodiles providing a contrast to the more idealised teddy bears and kittens.

The artist generously donated a portrait prize painted by her of a subject of the winner's choice.The raffle tickets were sold for the entire time of the exhibition, and the winner was Cr. Fran Lindsay, which was a wonderful surprise for such a hard-working member of the Foundation.

Also hung were a representative selection of other artists, with one wall being completely covered by a spectacular acrylic painting of peacocks and flowers. The exhibition was kindly sponsored by the Scope Club, an organisation established to make community service a more stimulating and rewarding experience, while at the same time providing a forum for friendship amongst its members.

MARIE LICHTENSTEIN EXHIBITION 16 June - 11 Auguest 2006

Marie Lichtenstein moved to Cairns from New Zealand fifteen years ago. Her first tuition was at the Auckland Art Society some forty years ago, and she has also received tuition from several well-known artists, including Colin McCahon and Bill Buckley. Throughout the years, Marie has involved herself with a group of fellow artist who were vastly different in their style of painting and gave each other an incentive to bring out their own talents.

When she moved to Australia, space was limited in her small apartment and she gave up painting for approximately 8 years. During that time she took up needlepoint to keep her artistic talents alive. For the last 3 years, Marie has had her own studio and has begun to paint again with a vengeance.

Her medium is oil, which she finds most rewarding. She has expressed herself in many aspects of art, particularly still-life and landscapes, but has recently concentrated on stylized flower blooms.

The opening of her exhibition which was sponsored by Oz Images was well attended and some of her works were sold.

Ludij Peden has always been one of the gallery's most popular artists, and this year's exhibition proved to be no exception. Ludij's paintings of outback scenes hang in many private and public collections, and also adorn corporate walls. The old buildings and bush homes are reminiscent of a time passed by, and arouse feelings of nostalgia in the mainly city dwelling buyers. The Australian bush is part of the national psyche even in those whose home by Ludij brings that fondly remembered way of life onto the walls of many an apartment or board room.

Councillor Margaret Cochrane openedthe exhibition, and the event was a great success, with people crowding the gallery. Several paintings were sold on the night. For this exhibition Ludij extended her parameters with paintings of the South Island of New Zealand, and these also proved popular.

As usual, the invitees enjoyed the catering, mingled with old and new friends and were keen to discuss the paintings with Ludij.