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The Cairns Art Society Inc. (CAS) is the region's longest established art organisation. Founded in 1931, its membership of more than 130 artists represents a wide cross-section of the Cairns artistic community and beyond. The Society provides many activities to help local artists to develop their art hobby or profession as well as enriching the visual arts culture of the Cairns region through its exhibitions and art spaces.

Activities include:

• A monthly general meeting held at our Artists@work Studio & Gallery, 29 Sheridan Street, Cairns (opposite Rusty's Market) at 5.30 pm on the second Thursday of the month, except January. All are welcome, and new members are able to meet other artists and learn about art opportunities.

• The Annual Open Art Awards (Cairns’s leading art competition) are held at the Cairns Art Gallery, giving all regional artists the opportunity to have their work judged by professional artists, with generous prizes sponsored by local businesses and entities.

• The annual Artists of the North exhibition which gives all regional artists the opportunity to exhibit at the Tanks Art Centre.  The 2023 exhibition will run from 1 April to 7 May, with the optional theme "Future Memories".  The optional theme this year is "Future Memories".  The exhibition officially opens at 6 pm, Saturday 1 April, with entertainment by Nikki Doll.  Free entry and cash bar, no RSVP required.  Opening hours:  9.00 am – 4.30 pm Weekdays, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm weekends.  The exhibition will include a series of art classes including watercolour painting, oil and wax painting and basket weaving using found objects.  All details on our website. 

We also have two artspaces:

• The CAS Gallery at DFO which is at the DFO Shopping Centre, Westcourt, Cairns (near the entrance to Coles), where around 60 members currently exhibit a wide range of high quality paintings, sculptures and more, with monthly feature artists. Open every day.
• The Artists@work Studio & Gallery at 29 Sheridan Street, Cairns (opposite Rusty's Market) where member artists produce and exhibit paintings and other works and are available to do commissioned pieces. Several artists run weekly painting, drawing and printing classes for adults and painting classes for children.  Open every day.

CAS membership entitles members to receive discounted fees to most CAS exhibitions and events, and a 10% discount at most local art supplies stores and framers.