Art comes to life for The Condensery’s first 2026 exhibition
Published on 06 March 2026
Artist Anna Gonzalez at the exhibition opening on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
THE CONDENSERY – Somerset Regional Art Gallery welcomed puppetry and art lovers for its first exhibition opening of 2026 on Saturday, 28 February.
The event also revealed The Condensery’s 2026 Program, with a swathe of dynamic artists and bold exhibitions sure to challenge, connect and inspire.
Gallery visitors were treated to three new exhibitions featuring puppetry, animation, and theatre design elements and heard from artists Anna Gonzalez and Ashton Bernhardt at the exhibition opening.
Somerset Regional Council Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee Chair, Councillor Sally Jess, said the new exhibitions are an immersive experience.
“Anna Gonzalez’s ephemeral dioramas in ‘Tiny worlds, tall tales’ create miniature theatrical scenes through drawing, painting, collage, sculpture and puppet-making,” Cr Jess said.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Dead Puppet Society’s exhibition, ‘The Wider Earth’ at The Condensery, featuring puppets created for a theatrical reimagining of Charles’ Darwin’s studies into evolution.
“Then in the bomb shelter exhibition space, Ashton Bernhardt’s ‘The show goes on’ tells the touching story of a performer sculpted from bronze in an experimental stop-motion animation.”
The current exhibitions will be open until 26 April and are supported by a series of puppet-making and world building programs for adults and children.
Find out what’s happening at The Condensery: thecondensery.com.au/programs
Cr Jess said 2026 would be an exciting year for The Condensery, with thirteen exhibitions exploring themes of belonging, change and in-between spaces.
“The 2026 program positions local community engagement as a core responsibility of The Condensery, ensuring it offers the opportunity to participate whilst also reflecting the creative strengths of its local artists,” Cr Jess said.
“The program includes exhibitions and events designed for school students, families, First Nations communities and new visitors through accessible, hands-on activities, with practical workshops and collaborative projects delivered across the year.”
To view the full program, visit thecondensery.com.au/exhibitions
For more information contact Somerset Regional Council on 5424 4000 or mail@somerset.qld.gov.au
The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery is located at 29 Factory Road, Toogoolawah.
Dead Puppet Society’s ‘The Wider Earth’, featuring lifelike puppets crafted for a theatrical reimagining of Charles Darwin’s studies into evolution, is now open at The Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery.