Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
LINDA CHANT
DAYDREAM
28 February 2026 - 14 June 2026
"Daydream" is an immersive journey created by Cowra-based artist Linda Chant, showcasing the ability of art to become a portal to ethereal and dream-like worlds. Drawing on the richness of art history whilst embracing contemporary techniques, Daydream, creates a space that blurs the boundary between reality and imagination.
This is a HomeGround exhibition, produced by the WPCC and supported by Orana Arts. HomeGround is sponsored by Wingewarra Dental.
Image: Linda Chant, Untitled, 2025, acrylic on board, 40cm x 30cm. Image courtesy of the artist.
RUBY DAVIES
Rivers Flow to the Sea, to the Sea: Darling Baaka through Space and Time
7 February 2026 - 26 April 2026
A reflection on the development of Dubbo-based artist Ruby Davies’ artistic practice, ‘Rivers Flow to the Sea, to the Sea’ is an exploration into the presence of the Darling River through Davies’ life and the overarching impact it has had on her as an artist. Through a collection of paintings, photographs and mixed-media material, this exploration traces Davies’ continued interaction with the river and the land that surrounds it.
Supported by Create NSW.
Image: Ruby Davies, Billabong receding, oil on board, 510 x 540mm, 2023. Image courtesy of the artist
OUT OF PLACE
29 November 2025 - 27 September 2026
Out of Place explores the odd, the curious and the wonderfully weird from within the collection of the Western Plains Cultural Centre. Asking the question of, what happens when the world rearranges itself and things get a little mixed up or out of place.
Image credit: Joanna Braithwaite, Emissary, 2011, Oil on Canvas. Collection Western Plains Cultural Centre. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Joanna Braithwaite. Copyright Joanna Braithwaite.
JENNIFER MOORE
A JOURNEY
8 November 2025 - 22 February 2026
For Dubbo-based artist, Jennifer Moore, the physical act of painting is an expression of wisdom and experience; each work a record of life lived, and being lived. Utilising palette knives, brushes, sponges, sticks, and her hands, Moore creates bold compositions through the interplay of colour and gesture. For Moore, painting is a combination of chance and intention, each mark conveying an aspect of the artists physical and psychological energy. A Journey is a deeply personal reflection into how we connect with our subconscious and how this guides us through life.
This is a HomeGround exhibition, produced by the WPCC and supported by Orana Arts. HomeGround is sponsored by Wingewarra Dental.
IN CONVERSATION EVENT: Saturday 8 November, 2pm. Register here.
Image: Jennifer Moore, Untitled, 2025, Image credit Western Plains Cultural Centre, Image provided by the artist.
RAWDON MIDDLETON VC
IN THE FACE OF OVERWHELMING ODDS
4 August 2025 - 1 March 2026
Rawdon Middleton was a promising young man with a bright future ahead when World War II broke out in 1939. Like many of his peers, he enlisted to train and fight in the tumultuous conflict engulfing Europe.
Rawdon's story is one of remarkable dedication and sacrifice that continues to resonate through generations—a tale of a local boy who, against overwhelming odds, became a hero.
As we acknowledge the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Rawdon Middleton reminds us of all who served and what we are each capable of.
Image: 402745 PO Rawdon Hume Middleton (photographic detail) as student pilot No. 7 Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) course at No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School (5 EFTS) Narromine, 1940, Collection Australian War Memorial P01O19. 003
FROM THE VAULT
FRONTPAGE
21 June 2025 - 8 February 2026
Using our collection of archived local newspapers, Frontpage explores how newspapers, and their front pages have evolved over the last 150 years. Before the advent of radio and television they were the main form of mass communication providing access to news, entertainment and commerce, helping to shape public opinion. Over the decades newspaper front pages have undergone considerable change, reflecting broader trends in technology and communication, making for a fascinating insight into shifting cultural attitudes.
From the Vault is supported by Create NSW.
Curated by Simone Taylor.
Image: The Dubbo Liberal, 3 December 1935, Local Studies Collection, Dubbo Regional Council
PEOPLE PLACES POSSESSIONS
DUBBO STORIES
Permanent Exhibition
The history of Dubbo told through the people who lived here. Stories of hardship, perseverance, ingenuity, tragedy and joy – Dubbo’s past is at once surprising and enlightening.
Telling the story of a place and its people is made easier by examining the myriad of ways we document, express and articulate our experiences. For a museum, the photographs, books, objects and official records help us to record history. The archives held by the WPCC allow community members to access this material for research or general interest. From diaries and ledgers to photographs that transport us back in time, the WPCC Collection provides a unique portal to our past.
Image Credit: Maker unknown, Shoe – Female – Chinese, date unknown. Red satin. Braid edging continues down to the toe. Calico sole with embroidery under the heel. Bird and flower embroidery. Orange tie embroidered in shades of blue. Designed for the custom of bound feet. Collection WPCC.
2DU: At Your Service For 90 Years
7 March 2026 - 2 August 2026
For 90 years 2DU has been a trusted voice, connecting our community through good times and bad. Broadcasting everything from Royal visits and flood warnings to sporting events and public appeals, 2DU has remained committed to telling stories that matter deeply to us. As we stand on the threshold of an emerging digital landscape, community radio stations like 2DU remain relevant today, continuing to foster our sense of local community and identity.
Image Credits: Reg Ferguson at 2DU Studios, Dubbo, c.1952, courtesy of 2DU Archives, 2025_250_DIG
Reserved
A bite sized look at Dubbo's food culture
28 March 2026 - 25 October 2026
Do you know how much a T-bone steak cost at the Westside in the 1960s? Or what a Fürst Pückler is? The history of food is a fascinating one, and our exhibition ‘Reserved’ is a bite sized exploration of the food we eat told through some of the fascinating local menus held in the collections here at the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
Image Credit: Menu: Welcome to the Savannah Room, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, 1986, Local Studies Collection, Dubbo Regional Council
WASTE 2 ART
2 May 2026 - 9 August 2026
Waste 2 Art is an annual community art exhibition and competition that features artworks created by community members using recycled and unwanted materials. The results are imaginative and thought-provoking with the artworks showcasing recycling and sustainable living.
With this creative use of waste materials, Waste 2 Art also provides an innovative approach to waste education. Schools and community groups take up the challenge and create artworks out of materials that might otherwise be thrown away.
The theme for this year's exhibition is ‘Shrink Your Footprint’. All entries must fit inside a shoebox.
Dubbo Regional Council is a proud NetWaste member and supports commitment to re-use and recycle through creative expression.
Sponsored by Access Metal Recycling
Image: Nate Sharwood, Orizuro - Paper Crane, 2025. Waste 2 Art 2025 Regionals Showcase, Western Plains Cultural Centre. Image courtesy Dubbo Regional Council.