Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct: Gunggandji Country, Yarrabah, Far North Queensland
The clay used in Yarrabah's ceramics comes from the Yarrabah Clay Reservoir, on country. The pandanus for weaving is collected locally too. The pottery practice began in 1973 as the Yarrabah Pottery Club, a Queensland Government employment initiative. The community took ownership in 1990, and in 2002 the Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct (YACP) was formally established as a branch of the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council. Yarrabah sits on Cape Grafton, 50km southeast of Cairns, on the traditional country of the Gunggandji and Yidinji peoples, surrounded by tropical bushland, mountain ranges, sandy coastlines, and coral reefs. The precinct includes the Yarrabah Arts Centre, the Menmuny Museum (built 1996, a nationally significant collection documenting the traditions and impact of Christianity on the community from its founding as Bellenden-Ker Mission in 1882), and a rainforest boardwalk featuring the Cairns Fan Palm.
The Arts Centre is known nationally and internationally for its ceramics and textiles. Artists include Philomena Yeatman, winner of the 2022 National Indigenous Fashion Award in the Textile Category, Michelle Yeatman (Master Potter), Wayne Connolly (Master Painter), and Edna Ambrym (Master Painter). Elverina Johnson, whose traditional family name Bunya Badjil means "Good Woman," works as an independent artist in close collaboration with the precinct. Works from the centre were finalists in the 2022 Telstra NATSIAA Awards. The gallery has a retail outlet selling locally made art and merchandise, and the precinct is available for guided tours, cultural awareness visits, and bookings by schools and community organisations.
Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct at a glance
- Location: Yarrabah Community, Cape Grafton, Far North Queensland. 50km southeast of Cairns.
- Established: Pottery practice from 1973. Community-owned from 1990. YACP formally established 2002.
- Traditional Owners: Gunggandji and Yidinji peoples.
- Precinct: Yarrabah Arts Centre, Menmuny Museum, rainforest boardwalk.
- Art forms: Ceramics (clay sourced locally on country), painting, weaving (pandanus/yakal sourced on country), textiles, printmaking.
- Notable artists: Philomena Yeatman, Michelle Yeatman, Wayne Connolly, Edna Ambrym, Elverina Johnson.
- Access: No permit required. Tours and gallery visits available. Book via the precinct website.
