From rubbish to art

QUEENSCLIFF Neighbourhood House’s latest exhibition is giving new life to items that were once destined for landfill.

The Artfully Repurposed exhibition sees creatives take everyday items and turn them into works of art.

By recycling, renovating, reusing, repurposing and recreating members have filled the gallery space with a range of artworks, from bags and crocheted items through to musical instruments and metal works.

Participants take part in a range of activities at the house including sewing, woodwork, crochet, painting and more.

Neighbourhood House was challenged by the gallery committee to fill the space with artwork out of repurposed items.

Different groups from within the house have taken on the challenge, embracing the upcycled element.

One of the groups, Boomerang Bags, makes reusable bags out of recycled pieces of fabric donated by the community.

Group member Jane Rodwell said it had been amazing to work on the exhibition.

“As soon as we mentioned it to the group, everyone just went ‘wow’ and went off and started these little projects,” she said.

“Because we’ve got a storeroom full of fabric bits and all sorts of little bits and pieces, the creative juices just went mad really.”

The group get together each week, sewing their bags before giving them away in the local community.

Ms Rodwell said they love using recycled items to make their products.

“We always get surprises every week and you never know what you’re going to get.

“We’re quite mindful about waste, because we live in such a beautiful environment near the ocean, and we don’t want plastics in it.”

Some items from the exhibition will be available for purchase as a fundraiser for Neighbourhood House.

The exhibition will open on June 1 and run until August 11.

For more information, head to qnhouse.com.au