Childers Arts Space is with activity as 30 local creators took up residency in the inaugural Handmade Hive.
Artists, makers and authors from around the Wide Bay have their works on display and for sale at Childers Art Space.
Guest curator Trudie Leigo, from Trudie Leigo Projects, said Handmade Hive gave local creators a chance to sell their handmade craft over the next two months, with now being the ideal as Christmas is just around the corner.
Handmade Hive will showcase everything from handmade earrings, furniture made from recycled and repurposed materials, delicious teas and an arrangement of beautiful artworks from a variety of local artists.
Trudie started organising the Handmade Hive more than eight months ago with a wonderful response from local artists and makers.
“It’s been a hard year for people who make these unique items; normally they would be able to reach people through markets and local events, but COVID-19 has halted many of these,” Trudie said.
“It’s a long-term project that started in March and has attracted a calibration of artist to take part.
“Working in with Council, Handmade Hive is about shining the spotlight on all the crafty people in our region.
“And there certainly are some very clever cookies in our region.”
Bundaberg Regional Council arts and culture portfolio spokesman, Cr John Learmonth, said it was great to see the arts community adapting to pandemic restrictions with a number of exhibitions taking place into the new year.
“The Christmas season is a very busy time in Childers as many tourists travel through on the Bruce Highway, stopping to check out the boutique shops and the Palace Memorial Building, so having the pop-up Handmade Hive gallery at Childers Arts Space is ideal,” Cr Learmonth said.
“There’s a great diversity of artists and creators at Handmade Hive, and I encourage the community to stop by to have a look and pick up a locally crafted piece for that special someone for Christmas.
“The team at Bundaberg Galleries have also been very busy with the two other exhibitions, emerge 2020 and HERE + now 2020, both open now through to next year, so the region is really putting on a show of creativity.”
Handmade Hive opened on Saturday at Childers Arts Space, 72 Churchill Street, and will be open Monday to Friday 9am to 4m and Saturday and Sunday this weekend, 9am to 3pm.
Local creators with their works on sale at Handmade Hive:
- Adrienne Williams
- Annette Tyson
- Bec McPherson
- Cate Verney
- Chloe Johnson
- Colleen Helmore
- Daniel Kansky
- Helen Henderson
- Jaimee Mcleod
- Jan De Mattia
- Jane Marin
- Jay Feather
- Jenny Verdel
- Kathryn Apel
- Kris Sheather
- Lili Jacobson
- Lorraine Maskell
- Lyn Barton
- Marlies Oakley
- Nicole Duyst
- Rosalee Morris
- Ruby Burnham
- Sandy Curtis
- Sandy McLean
- Sara Pardon
- Tara Ruddy
- Toni Schuch
- Kathy Valks
