Harmony Week Art Gallery at Mackay Private Hospital
Celebrating culture, creativity and community
Mackay Private Hospital proudly presents a Harmony Week Art Gallery showcasing works by First Nations artists Jessica Rigby, Uncle Edward Rigby and Venita Mooney.
This Harmony Week, Mackay Private Hospital is proud to open its doors to the community with a special art exhibition celebrating culture, creativity and connection. From Monday 16 to Sunday 28 March, the hospital will transform into a vibrant public gallery showcasing the works of respected First Nations artists Jessica Rigby, Uncle Edward Rigby and Venita Mooney.
Hosted within Mackay Private Hospital and open to the public daily from 11.00am to 6.00pm, the exhibition invites community members, patients, staff and visitors alike to engage with powerful artworks that reflect storytelling, identity and the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
The exhibition will be officially launched with a Gala Evening on Thursday 19 March, held in recognition of National Close the Gap Day. The evening will include a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, providing an opportunity for reflection, learning and shared respect, while celebrating the artists and the importance of health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Through this Harmony Week Art Gallery, Mackay Private Hospital is proud to celebrate diversity, support First Nations artists, and strengthen connections between health, culture and community.
Event Details
Exhibit open
- Monday 16 March – Sunday 28 March
- Open to the public: 1100 – 1800 daily
Exhibit Gala Evening
Thursday 19 March – National Close the Gap Day commencing at 6.30 – 9.00pm
About our Artists
Jessica Rigby
Jessica Rigby is a Gamilaroi, Bigambul Tribe and Torres Strait Islander artist, born and raised in Yuwi People Country, Slade Point, Mackay. Drawing inspiration from her deep connection to land, sea, and culture, Jessica has had a passion for art from a young age, learning alongside her mother and using painting as a way to share stories, memories, and healing.
Following the passing of her mother in 2025, art became a powerful personal and cultural outlet for Jessica, allowing her to carry forward the stories and knowledge passed down to her. She has since completed multiple commissions and exhibited works locally and internationally, using her art to celebrate family, Country, and community.
Uncle Edward Rigby
Uncle Edward Rigby is a respected First Nations artist and community elder based in Mackay, Queensland. Growing up within a large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family, he lived a traditional hunter‑gatherer lifestyle, spending much of his time fishing and connecting with Country along local beaches, creeks and rivers. His artworks draw on these life experiences, reflecting memory, culture and a deep connection to land and sea. Uncle Edward has exhibited across community, Harmony Week and NAIDOC Week exhibitions in the Mackay region and continues to share cultural knowledge through his art, supporting intergenerational storytelling and legacy.
Venita Mooney
Venita Mooney is a First Nations artist and photographer based in Mackay, Queensland, with strong connections to her Yuwi, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander heritage. Her creative practice centres on visual storytelling, capturing Country, culture, family and community through photography and art. Drawing inspiration from the natural landscape of Mackay and her cultural connections to place, Venita’s work reflects care for Country and the importance of preserving stories for future generations. She has exhibited alongside other First Nations artists in community and Harmony Week exhibitions and continues to share powerful narratives through culturally grounded, community‑focused artwork.