General News
1 June, 2026
Honour for behind-the-scenes supporter of arts
FRESHWATER resident and community advocate Paul Matthews has been recognised for his “quiet but significant role” over the past 10 years in the success of Flame – a visual arts program at the Tanks Art Centre.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said his generosity “has ensured young artists have the materials, mentorship and opportunities they need to develop their work, and we’re incredibly grateful for the unassuming and sustained way that he has supported the program for a decade”.
“The (Flame) program gives young people hands on experience as practicing artists working in a studio space at the Tanks Art Centre, with the support from council’s visual art and curation, curational teams. Participants take part in workshops, industry discussions and mentoring, building creative skills, professional networks and confidence,” she said. “Since 2015 over 100 artists have come through Flame gained valuable industry experience and opportunities to share work, share their work with the community.
“Paul Matthew’s support has been fundamental to the success and longevity of the Flame program.
“Since 2015 he has provided an annual $10,000 donation, making him the program’s major financial supporter and directly funding material that artists use for participants.
“For many years, Paul chose to make those contributions anonymously, motivated simply by a genuine belief in supporting young creators and strengthening the arts in campus.
Mr Matthews thanked the staff at the Tanks “who’ve navigated me through this process, young creatives coming through their work”.
“Their artworks, and, of course, all the creative media emerging artists through to this point, the whole idea of the exercise was to try to give these young emerging artists a bit of a leg up to develop their own professional art practices,” he said.
