A new Indigenous art gallery, the Maltha Waru Arts Workshop, has officially opened at Outback at Isa in Mount Isa, Queensland, on May 30, 2025. Councillor Travis Crowther delivered the opening speech, marking the culmination of months of work by local Indigenous artists and Outback at Isa staff. The gallery, which began operating in December 2024, displays and sells art created by Indigenous artists from North West Queensland, including paintings, jewellery, textiles, carvings, spinifex paper, and contemporary works. Featured artists include Barbara Sam, Rebecca Sam, Hazel Munro, and others.
This gallery is significant as the first dedicated Indigenous art space west of the coast in the region, filling a gap that previously forced local artists to travel to Cairns, Brisbane, or Alice Springs to have their works seen and sold. By providing a permanent, local venue, it empowers Indigenous artists to share their stories with a wider audience and strengthens cultural representation and economic opportunities for the Mount Isa community. The name "Maltha waru," meaning "many paths" in the Kalkadoon language, reflects the gallery's role in connecting art, culture, and community.