
Our Founder – Mervyn Moriarty OAM
Flying Arts’ founder, Mervyn Moriarty OAM, is a legendary figure in the Queensland arts community. His is an iconic story – a respected artist and passionate and dedicated arts teacher and educator, in 1970, he used prize money from an art award to learn to fly so he could teach art in outback communities where there was no access to the arts.
He made his first flight in 1971, a 6,000 km round journey, setting up the ‘art school’ that is now Flying Arts. As the principal tutor from 1971 to 1983, he flew to an average of 26 centres four times a year, making over 1,250 trips and flying over 400,000 km. As a result of his endeavours, a generation of artists, educators and communities gained exposure to contemporary visual arts practice, many for the first time. In 2022, his services to the visual arts in Queensland was recognised in the Australia Day Honours Awards.
During these years, the organisation was credited as being a catalyst for social regeneration for hundreds of artists living on rural properties and regional towns throughout Queensland. This legacy lives on today in the work of Flying Arts Alliance, as the organisation became known in 1994, and the many art groups which formed across the state thanks to Merv’s tutelage.
To learn more about Mervyn Moriarty view the presentation by Emeritus Professor Patricia Hoffie given at the 2024 Mervyn Moriarty Landscape Award Exhibition Launch – Why what Merv did still matters.
From River Beds to Shearing Sheds – 30 years with Flying Arts

The Story of one man’s dream to give people living in outback Queensland the same opportunity to study fine art as the people in the city – helping them overcome the mental isolation of life in the bush.”
$24 including postage & handling
$19 pick up only from the office
Contact the office if you wish to purchase a copy.