Our Story
Returning from 3–8 October 2025, Recovered Futures will be presented during Queensland Mental Health Week and proudly delivered by Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ).
The exhibition showcases works by artists with lived experience of mental health challenges, creating a platform for shared stories that invite reflection, connection, and meaningful conversation.
Celebrating its 34th year in 2025, Recovered Futures carries a rich and evolving history. Since proudly hosting the exhibition in 2018, RFQ has remained committed to creating space for artists to share their stories. Explore the moments that have shaped the exhibition’s enduring legacy below.
How we got here
Recovered Futures is an annual art exhibition that celebrates lived experience through creativity. It is a space where personal stories are made visible, where vulnerability meets strength, and where art invites us to see recovery not as a destination, but as an ongoing, deeply human journey.
Held in the heart of Brisbane at King George Square, the exhibition has grown from its beginnings in 1991 during Schizophrenia Awareness Week to celebrating 34 years in 2025. Explore the key moments that have shaped Recovered Futures over time.
1991: Exhibition established
In May 1991, during Schizophrenia Awareness Week, the Schizophrenia Fellowship of Queensland (now the Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland, MIFQ) displayed members’ artworks within its drop-in centre, marking the beginning of what would become Recovered Futures.
1997 to 2010: Growth and Expansion
King George Square remained the home of the Schizophrenia Awareness Week Art Exhibition for a further eight years, as the event continued to grow in scale and reach. By 2002, the exhibition welcomed more than 9,500 visitors, marking a significant milestone.
During this time, artworks were acquired by overseas buyers, and many pieces found permanent homes within the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, and The Park Centre for Mental Health.
In 2006, the exhibition moved to the Riverside Centre on Eagle Street, followed by South Bank Piazza, before returning to King George Square in 2010, where it has remained ever since.
Silver Anniversary: Celebrating 25 years
In 2016, the exhibition marked its 25th anniversary, hosted by the Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland (MIFQ). Presented as a retrospective, the exhibition brought together 174 artists, showcasing 390 works of art.
True to its purpose, the exhibition continued to celebrate the exceptional talents of artists while raising awareness of the lived experience of mental health challenges within the community.
2018: RFQ Launches Recovered Futures
In 2018, Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) assumed stewardship of the exhibition, relaunching it as Recovered Futures to align with its mission: a future recovered for those facing mental health challenges and social disadvantage.
Coinciding with Queensland Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the exhibition sought to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and deepen community understanding of mental health and wellbeing.
2024
In its 33rd year, Recovered Futures returned to King George Square with 270 artworks by 180 artists on display. More than 10,000 visitors experienced the exhibition in person, with over 16,000 engaging online, resulting in $72,000 in artwork sales.True to its values, 85 per cent of proceeds were returned directly to the artists. The exhibition also marked 50 years of Richmond Fellowship Queensland’s service to the community, a milestone celebrated alongside the artists and their work.
1991: Exhibition established
In May 1991, during Schizophrenia Awareness Week, the Schizophrenia Fellowship of Queensland (now the Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland, MIFQ) displayed members’ artworks within its drop-in centre, marking the beginning of what would become Recovered Futures.
1997 to 2010: Growth and Expansion
King George Square remained the home of the Schizophrenia Awareness Week Art Exhibition for a further eight years, as the event continued to grow in scale and reach. By 2002, the exhibition welcomed more than 9,500 visitors, marking a significant milestone.
During this time, artworks were acquired by overseas buyers, and many pieces found permanent homes within the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, and The Park Centre for Mental Health.
In 2006, the exhibition moved to the Riverside Centre on Eagle Street, followed by South Bank Piazza, before returning to King George Square in 2010, where it has remained ever since.
Silver Anniversary: Celebrating 25 years
In 2016, the exhibition marked its 25th anniversary, hosted by the Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland (MIFQ). Presented as a retrospective, the exhibition brought together 174 artists, showcasing 390 works of art.
True to its purpose, the exhibition continued to celebrate the exceptional talents of artists while raising awareness of the lived experience of mental health challenges within the community.
2018: RFQ Launches Recovered Futures
In 2018, Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) assumed stewardship of the exhibition, relaunching it as Recovered Futures to align with its mission: a future recovered for those facing mental health challenges and social disadvantage.
Coinciding with Queensland Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the exhibition sought to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and deepen community understanding of mental health and wellbeing.
2024
In its 33rd year, Recovered Futures returned to King George Square with 270 artworks by 180 artists on display. More than 10,000 visitors experienced the exhibition in person, with over 16,000 engaging online, resulting in $72,000 in artwork sales.True to its values, 85 per cent of proceeds were returned directly to the artists. The exhibition also marked 50 years of Richmond Fellowship Queensland’s service to the community, a milestone celebrated alongside the artists and their work.
Meet the team
Recovered Futures is delivered by the Communications, Marketing and Events team at Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ), who bring the exhibition to life alongside their broader roles within the organisation.
Tea, Communications, Marketing and Events Manager: Tea provides strategic oversight and support for Recovered Futures, drawing on her experience as a former Senior Events Coordinator to ensure the exhibition is delivered smoothly. Tea provides the occasional steady hand, backing the creative direction that defines the exhibition.
Jacqui, Senior Events Coordinator: Jacqui is the creative lead behind Recovered Futures, shaping the exhibition from artist applications through to the final look and feel of the space. With a strong eye for visual storytelling, she transforms King George Square into a bold, temporary gallery each year.
Ellen, Communications and Marketing Coordinator: Through interviews, editorial writing, and thoughtful storytelling, she works closely with artists to translate lived experience into language that is respectful, engaging, and true. From exhibition text to promotional material, Ellen ensures every written element carries clarity, care, and intention, allowing artists’ stories to be heard as powerfully as their work is seen.
Alfred, Visual Content Specialist:
Alfred brings Recovered Futures into focus through photography and visual storytelling, capturing the energy of the exhibition and the artworks that inhabit it. His work ensures the exhibition lives on beyond the physical space.
Margot, Brand and Events Assistant:
Margot supports Recovered Futures across branding and event delivery, assisting the team throughout the exhibition process to help ideas move smoothly from concept to reality.
Proudly presented by Richmond Fellowship Queensland
"A future recovered for people facing mental health challenges and social disadvantage."
Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) is a community-based organisation supporting people to live meaningful, connected lives. Through housing, support services, and advocacy, RFQ works alongside individuals and communities to promote recovery, wellbeing, and inclusion.