Floating on By
Gallery artworks and Carnival memories to illuminate Empire Theatre during Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2026.
Photography provided.
Art, history and community will converge this spring as Floating On By transforms the façade of Empire Theatre 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.
"Floating On By creates 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 the region's artistic heritage in a fresh and memorable way,” Toowoomba Regional Council Library and Cultural Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Melissa 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 festivals.
"The photographs capture generations of community pride and creativity. 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 the region's identity," Cr Taylor said.
Floating On By is presented by Toowoomba Region Art Galleries in partnership with The Empire Theatre and Local History Collections, Toowoomba Region Libraries.
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IMAGE CREDITS:
1) Rear view of ‘Space Shuttle’ float in 1981 Carnival of Flowers parade. Photographer: Lionel Coxen | 1981 | colour photograph | Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries – Lionel Coxen Collection
"Being ultra-light 2009" by Rochelle Summerfield. Photo collage on paper | image: 37 x 45cm, paper: 42 x 50.5cm | Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection 1714 | Photographer: Carl Warner | © Rochelle Summerfield
2) Three grotesque ‘heads’ in Carnival of Flowers parade c 1960s. Photographer: William Keith | colour photograph | Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries – William Keith Collection
"The Wild Empire 2017" by 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
3) Southern Cross Employees float in Carnival of Flowers Parade c 1960. Photographer Unknown | Colour photograph | Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries
"Over the waterfall" by Kate Stewart . 2015 | Oil on canvas | 20.5 x 25.5cm | Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 2159 | © Kate Stewart
4) Underwater-themed Southern Cross Employees float for the 1959 Carnival of Flowers. Photographer: William Keith |colour photograph / Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries – William Keith Collection
"Red Emperor" by William Dowd and Leslie Angus. c 1995 | Upholstery, wadding, silk, velvet, lamé, brocade, satin, braid, sequins / 112 × 84cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery - Toowoomba City Collection 296 / Photographer: Carl Warner / Model: Robert Ketton / © William Dowd and Lesley Angus
5) Spirit of Queensland float in the Carnival of Flowers c 1980s. Photographer: Lionel Coxen| Black-and-white photograph | Local History and Robinson Collections, Toowoomba Regional Libraries – Lionel Coxen Collection
"Arcadia" by Ann Russell.
2009 / mixed media assemblage / 30 x 30 x 35 cm / Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Toowoomba City Collection 1753 / Photographer: Carl Warner / © Ann Russell
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