Welcome to the Clarence Valley Art Gallery Trail, where creativity and community come together in a vibrant celebration of visual storytelling. Our region is home to a dynamic array of art galleries, each offering a unique glimpse into the heart and soul of our local culture.
Follow the meandering path of the Clarence River as you chase art across the valley, experiencing the region through the eyes of our talented creatives. Start your journey in Grafton, where the historic Prentice House hosts the Grafton Regional Gallery, a hub of artistic expression featuring a diverse range of touring and local exhibitions.
As you venture further, you’ll discover charming towns and villages like Ulmarra, Cowper, and Maclean, each with its own artistic flair. Explore the Coldstream Gallery, Cowper Gallery, Ferry Park Gallery, and Maclean Framing & Gallery, which showcase everything from contemporary masterpieces to traditional works. Then, journey to the coast and visit the Old Kirk at Yamba Museum and Iluka Emporium, where the coastal essence is captured through an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, and crafts.
As if that’s not enough creativity to fill your cup, every April, the Clarence Valley’s creative community goes into overdrive with the month-long Plunge Arts and Culture Festival. This vibrant celebration features a free guidebook packed with exhibitions, concerts, shows, workshops, open studios, and much more. While April is the peak time for artistic festivities, the arts and culture scene here thrives all year round, offering visitors endless opportunities to engage with our rich creative heritage.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a curious traveller, or someone seeking inspiration, the trail offers a perfect opportunity to become part of a creative community that thrives on collaboration and shared passion. The Clarence Valley is not just a destination; it’s a living, breathing canvas where every brushstroke and sculpture reflects the soul of our people.
Grafton Regional Gallery, housed in the historic Prentice House and a new state-of-the-art extension, delivers art and cultural experiences for visitors and locals alike with nationally-recognised exhibitions and events that showcase contemporary art, and more. Grafton Regional Gallery is home to the prestigious Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA).
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm, Closed Mondays and Public Holidays. Note: the main gallery is closed intermittently for exhibition changeover. Please contact the gallery for exhibition dates.
Address: 158 Fitzroy Street, Grafton
Phone Number: 02 6641 7300
Coldstream Gallery in Ulmarra features a diverse collection of contemporary artworks, blending the creations of both local and non-local artists. This gallery offers a cultural experience rich in history, set in a building over 115 years old and has been home to a fine art gallery since 1975
Monday 10am-4pm. Closed Tuesdays
Address: 5 Coldstream Street, Ulmarra
Phone Number: 02 6619 6446Â
Located in the picturesque village of Cowper, nestled by the banks of the Clarence River, the Cowper Gallery offers an ongoing program of exhibitions featuring contemporary art and crafts. With a growing schedule of workshops, this gallery provides a wonderfully intimate and enriching experience.
Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm. Note: the gallery is closed intermittently for exhibition changeover. Please contact the gallery for exhibition dates.
Address: 90 Clarence Street, Cowper
Ferry Park Gallery, at the southern entrance to Maclean, showcases a range fine art and crafts by Clarence Valley artists. Conveniently located just off the highway, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy local art, relax with a coffee, and soak up the river views. Open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
Open 7 days a week 9am-4pm. Open on public holidays, with the exception of Christmas Day
Address: 5287 Big River Way, Maclean
This intimate shopfront gallery features a hand-selected curation of artworks from both emerging and established local artists. Located in the heart of Maclean, you’ll find an array of respected names decorating the walls in this bespoke exhibition space.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm
Address: 189A River Street, Maclean
The Old Kirk, at Yamba Museum, is a beautifully restored 1921 former church that now sometimes serves as a unique exhibition space. Perhaps check on current exhibition programming before making it a special stop on the Clarence Valley’s Art Gallery Trail. Museum opening hours and entry fees apply.Â
Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm, Closed Monday and Friday.
Note: the gallery is closed intermittently. Please contact the gallery for exhibition dates or check website.
Address: River Street, Yamba
The Iluka Emporium, at the heart of the community, showcases locally made art, jewellery, woodwork, fashion, ceramics, and collectibles. Run by local artisans, it’s a vibrant space where creativity and community come together, offering unique treasures and stories.
Open everyday 9am-3pm, Closed the first Tuesday of each month
Address: 61 Charles Street, Iluka
While you’re following the Clarence Valley Art Gallery Trail, don’t miss the chance to explore our Public Art Trail: Stories on Our Streets. This vibrant outdoor gallery showcases murals and sculptures that bring the region’s history, culture, and creativity to life in unexpected places.
My Clarence Valley is the official tourism department for the Clarence Valley, an initiative of Clarence Valley Council.Â
