Gallery artworks, Carnival memories to illuminate The Empire façade
Published on 15 September 2026
Art, history and community will converge this spring when Floating On By transforms the façade of The Empire into a striking outdoor gallery, showcasing artworks from the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery collection during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Presented nightly from 18 September to 5 October 2026, the large-scale projection features a curated selection of artworks inspired by historical images of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade floats drawn from Local History Collections, Toowoomba Region Libraries.
Bringing treasured works from the Gallery collection into the public realm, Floating On By offers audiences a new way to experience the visual stories, artistic talent and cultural heritage that have helped shape the Toowoomba Region.
The projection celebrates both the artistic legacy and enduring community spirit of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers on one of the most iconic buildings in Toowoomba, the Empire Theatre.
The Empire Operations Director Tim Panitz said the team was thrilled to be working with Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery to transform the iconic building’s façade into a canvas showcasing the Region’s visual artists.
“The Empire is a unique Art Deco canvas that certainly lends itself to large-scale projection, and we’re excited to see how the building can be transformed to celebrate the incredible artistic talent of our Region,” Mr Panitz said.
Toowoomba Regional Council Library and Cultural Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Melissa Taylor said Floating On By created an opportunity to share remarkable works from the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery collection with thousands of Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers visitors.
“By presenting these artworks on a grand scale, we're inviting audiences to engage with our Region's artistic heritage in a fresh and memorable way,” Cr Taylor said.
The projection explores the unexpected connections between art and the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ popular parade, pairing collection artworks with nostalgic images of parade floats and community celebrations from across the decades. Together, they illustrate how creativity has long been at the heart of one of Australia's most iconic and awarded festivals.
"The historical photographs displayed have been supplied by project partner Local History Collections, Toowoomba Region Libraries. These photographs capture generations of community pride and creativity," Cr Taylor said.
“Combined with the Gallery's collection, they create a rich visual story of how the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has evolved while remaining an important part of our Region's identity.”
Floating On By is presented by Toowoomba Region Art Galleries in partnership with The Empire and Local History Collections, Toowoomba Region Libraries.
Images:
1. Ute BRAATZ / The Wild Empire 2017 / reduction linocut on paper / print: 25 x 25cm, frame: 50 x 50cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 2255 / Photographer: Carl Warner / © Ute Braatz
2. William KEITH / Three grotesque ‘heads’ in Carnival of Flowers parade c 1960s / colour photograph / Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries – William Keith Collection
3. Kate STEWART / Over the waterfall 2015 / oil on canvas / 20.5 x 25.5cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 2159 / © the artist
4. PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN / Southern Cross Employees float in Carnival of Flowers Parade c 1960 / colour photograph / Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries
5. Vicki MASON / Tinkering series 2008 / 3 brooch set: sterling silver, brass, hand-dyed PVC, polyester and thread / largest brooch: 14.5 x 7.0 x 2.0cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 1705 / Photographer: Carl Warner / © Vicki Mason
6. William KEITH / “Railways” float in the Carnival of Flowers parade c 1960s / photograph / Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries – William Keith Collection