Daly Bay Illuminate

Whale Song

Illuminated Puppetry. 2024.

Whale Song is a multimedia outdoor theatre procession that celebrates the humpback whale migration season. The show includes video projection, giant illuminated puppets, and community creature creations, all led by a moving soundscape embedded within our puppets.

Curious Legends, established 2005, is a theatre company that believes in the inherent wonder of the world around us. We aim to inspire kids and their adults to experience this through the magic of theatre. Our shows, workshops, and roving performances embrace laughter, magic, and the mysterious world of our imaginations. Based in Newcastle, Australia, Curious Legends produces multimedia, traditional theatre, and large-scale site-specific work on a national and international scale.

Where: Civic Precinct, 61 Gordon Street

When: Thursday 23 July - Sunday 26 July, 6pm - 9pm

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The Blooms Continue to Flourish

Video projection. 2026. Animation of custom printed linen fabric. 6 minutes, 13 seconds.

Projection displaying the variety of flowers that are native to the Zenadth (Torres Strait) Region. Robinson notes; seasonal horticulture is determined by the “movement of stars, constellations, tidal patterns and migration of birds and sea creatures” and accompanied by song and fertility rituals to ensure an abundance of edible food.

Brian Robinson is a Waiben (Thursday Island) artist who also has Maluyligal and Wuthathi heritage. His work explores imagery drawn from ancestral iconography of the Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait), and he uniquely interweaves this with images from popular culture and science fiction.

Where:  Artspace, 61 Gordon Street

When:  Thursday 23 July - Sunday 26 July, 6pm – 9pm

Yarnbomb Coral Rocks

Crochet installation. 2026.

Yarn is shaped around rock features, similar to how a dress would be fitted to the body. The amount of yarn once completed for the 3 rocks will be about 34km which is the distance from Mackay to Kuttabul. They will take approximately 180 hours of crochet time to complete and so far there have been 30 people working on the project.

This collaborative project brings together community, creativity, and scale. Once complete, the three crocheted rocks will use approximately 34km of yarn—the distance from Mackay to Kuttabul. The works represent around 180 hours of crochet, contributed to by a collective of 30 participants.

Where: Artspace, 61 Gordon Street

When: Friday 26 June - Sunday 26 July, 24h

River Kin

Site-specific projection. 2026. 6 minutes.

Illuminating the Pioneer transforms children’s science-inspired drawings of Pioneer River flora and fauna into animated light. Alongside abundant river life, vulnerable, threatened and locally lost species emerge throughout the projection, celebrating biodiversity while encouraging care for the ecosystems that sustain it.

Donna Maree Robinson is an internationally exhibited Australian artist working across moving image, light, projection, public art, murals and site-responsive installation. Based in Queensland, her practice explores the meeting point of art, science and environmental awareness, often engaging directly with landscapes, ecosystems and the sensory experience of place.

Where: Pioneer Shire Council Building, 1 Wood Street

When: Thursday 23 July - Sunday 26 July, 6pm - 9pm

Kadal

Traditional Dance Short Film. 2026. 6 minutes.

The video narrates a ceromony performed by Torres Strait Islander men from the Central part of Zenadth Kes, descendants of the Tudu Clan and King Kebisu calling upon their great Ancestor and totem Kadal/Koedal [Saltwater Crocodile]. The rhythmic beat of the drums and stamping of their feet echo through the mangroves summoning Kadal. The women native to the Eastern Islands stand with Siks they move with the tides and winds above.

Patrick Thaiday is originally from Iama (Yam Island) and is a descendant of King Kebisu of Tudu (Warrior Island) in the Central Part of the Torres Strait Islands. Patrick is currently the Community Indigenous Sports and Recreation officer at Mackay PCYC and has continued to pass on his expertise implementing a range of programs consisting of Cultural, Contemporary Dance, Sports Fitness and the Game of Throwns Holiday Programs.

Where: BCC Cinemas, 40 Gordon Street

When: Thursday 23 July - Sunday 26 July, 6pm - 9pm

Phone Fog

Charcoal and Collage Stop Motion Film. 2025. 2 minutes and 16 seconds.

A stop motion short film inspired from Aliza’s observations of how her generation are almost oblivious to the real world because of how distracted they are by their online world. With her Phone Fog story Aliza hopes to awaken the world to the silent power of screen addiction.

Aliza was born in Saskatoon, Canada and moved to Mackay in 2015. She has always loved art. Creating in many mediums and recently moving into stop-motion animation using charcoal and mixed media collage. Stop-motion appeals to Aliza because it is a more dynamic way to tell a story through her artworks.

Where: Shop 60, 60 Wood Street. Next to Moss on Wood & Rydges Mackay Suites

When: Thursday 23 July - Sunday 26 July, 6pm - 9pm

Funky Fruit Fam

Brush Tip Markers & Digital Editing (print display). 2026.

Decals placed throughout the map of the festival. Funky Fruit Fam artworks were inspired by the abundance of tropical fruits growing in our backyard, here in Mackay! The vibrant colours and wild textures of our local fruit inspired these imaginary characters. Anita created goofy exaggerated fruit faces rolling around in styles and on wheels that reflect our era and give people a laugh, at both the characters and the outlandish trends.

Anita is a Canadian born artist now living in Mackay. She dabbles in all forms of art making and especially enjoys helping others to unleash their creativity. Anita has contributed to the local art community through mural projects, illustrations, festival workshops and art education. Working across a diverse range of mediums she hopes to spread joy and curiosity through her work.

Where: Decals along: Gordon, Wood, and River Street

When: Thursday 23 July - Sunday 23 August, 24hours

Ocean in Motion

Roaming Performance. 2023.

Ocean in Motion uses upcycled materials to create magical, illuminated sea creatures that float through events as performers interact with attendees further enhance the experience of the festival.

Bringing a bit of sparkle to Illuminate with our roving performers. Expect colourful characters, cheeky interactions, and little pop-up moments that catch you by surprise. We weave through the crowd with circus tricks, movement, and playful energy—keeping things fun, light, and engaging. It’s all about creating those small, joyful moments people remember.

Where: Roving along Gordon, Wood, and River Street

When: Thursday 23 July - Sunday 26 July, 6pm - 9pm