Men’s Shed builds art screens for St Luke’s Arts Fest

Jim Simonsen, Barry Vanderburg and Ian Gregory

The Graceville Arts Festival, a highlight of the Sunshine Coast’s arts calendar, has received some welcome support from the handymen at the Nambour Men’s Shed.

The festival is run by Lutheran Services’ Graceville Centre and staged at St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Nambour, from June 20-23.

Graceville Centre’s Zoe Rames said the art festival was an annual celebration of creativity and collaboration that allowed artists with lived experiences of disability and mental health issues to showcase their talents.

The centre has provided mental health services from its Nambour site for more than 50 years, helping Sunshine Coast residents live their best lives.

This year the artists will hang their works on 18 new display screens constructed by members of the Men’s Shed with materials provided by a grant from the Sundale Community Foundation. The screens will be shared with the Nambour Show Society for their art competition.

Nambour Men’s Shed Vice-President Jim Simonsen said the group of around 60 members was always willing to lend a hand, and their skills, to help their community.

“We enjoyed working on the project to support the Graceville Arts Festival. The task was a bit of a challenge but we did it,’’ Mr Simonsen said.

“The largest double-sided screens are 2400mm by 1800mm with two wings that can be disassembled for easy storage.

“We have regular clients of the Graceville Centre who come to do woodwork with us. We help by assisting with some of the machine work. It's great to have them here, we are all part of the local community."

Funds raised from the arts festival, now in its fourth year, help support the creative programs for the Graceville Centre’s clients.

Registrations are open to exhibitors for the four-day event that includes workshops, market stalls, food and family fun.

Many of the artworks will be offered for sale. Entry to the art exhibition is free with a fee of $5 for workshops.

Graceville Arts Festival will be held at St Luke’s Church, 10 Sydney Street, Nambour.

Care where all are welcome:

Lutheran Services is one of Queensland’s longest established not-for-profit aged care and community service providers.

They provide services, support and accommodation for older people, young people, people living with disability or mental health concerns, and people experiencing domestic and family violence. Lutheran Services have served the people and communities of Queensland since 1935 drawing on a rich Lutheran tradition of care where all are welcome.