The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is inviting audiences to move beyond observation and into participation with the launch of its 2026 Mark Makers Talks and Masterclasses Program.
Created as a dynamic series of cultural conversations and hands-on creative workshops led by acclaimed First Nations artists, makers and storytellers, the program will be presented from Friday July 10 to Sunday July 12 at the Tanks Arts Centre on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country.
The program forms part of CIAF's 2026 theme, Reclamation & Regeneration, which explores the renewal of cultural practice, storytelling, identity, and artistic expression through contemporary First Nations perspectives.
From traditional weaving and shell adornment to contemporary jewellery-making, and from Paiwan needlework to keynote conversations and panel discussions with leading Indigenous creatives, the curated program offers audiences rare opportunities to learn directly from artists while engaging with the ideas shaping contemporary First Nations art and culture.
CIAF artistic director Teho Ropeyarn said the 2026 program reflects CIAF's commitment to creating spaces for deeper cultural exchange, truth-telling, and creative dialogue.
"CIAF's Talks and Masterclasses Program allows audiences to immerse themselves in the stories and participatory cultural practices shared by artists," he said.
"These experiences go beyond demonstration, exploring identity, celebrating innovation and creating opportunities for genuine cultural connection and art making."
Brimming with several engaging activities and activations, the CIAF 2026 Talks and Masterclasses program includes many highlights.
The program will see Archibald Prize-winning artist Blak Douglas making his Cairns debut with the keynote Blak Portraits and the Archibald Prize, offering insight into his celebrated practice and journey as one of Australia's most influential contemporary First Nations artists.
Multidisciplinary artist Luke Currie-Richardson will present a keynote presentation by exploring identity, storytelling and navigating artistic practice between cultures and communities, whilst Gungganji and Gimuy Walubara Yidinji artist Elverina Johnson will present the keynote Reclaiming our Narratives through Regeneration of our Storytelling, reflecting on storytelling, cultural survival and creative self-determination across music, painting, photography, theatre and fashion.
In his Marrickville studio: Archibald Prize-winning artist Blak Douglas pauses to reflect. The Archibald Prize winner will make his Cairns debut with the keynote Blak Portraits at CIAF 2026.
The three-day CIAF Mark Makers Talks Program, curated and facilitated by Kokoberra woman and cultural leader Tania Major, brings together artists, curators, writers, and cultural leaders for keynote conversations and panel discussions exploring contemporary Indigenous artmaking, collecting, cultural leadership, artistic authenticity, and truth-telling.
"The Mark Makers Talks Program creates space for meaningful conversations that explore not only artistic practice, but the stories, experiences and cultural perspectives shaping contemporary Indigenous art today," Ms Major said.
"These discussions invite audiences to engage more deeply with the artists, ideas and lived experiences driving creative practice across communities and generations."
All CIAF Mark Makers Talks and Masterclasses are ticketed, with places limited.
In addition to the ticketed talks, CIAF 2026 will present a series of free daily panel discussions exploring digital storytelling, cultural leadership, artistic practice, and truth- telling through conversations with artists, creatives, curators, and emerging First Nations communicators.
Highlights include Digital Truth-Telling: Reclamation of Our Remembering, featuring Talicia Minniecon and fellow alumni from the inaugural CIAF x Mob Made Media & Communications Agency Ambassador Program, who discuss the growing role of culturally grounded digital storytelling and First Nations narrative authority.
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