Joan Smith is our featured artist for August. She is also a past president of the Beaudesert Community Arts and Information Centre.

Joan is a textile artist. She started sewing in primary school, when Domestic Science was taught to all girls in Grades 7 and 8.

When she was a teenager, and later an adult, it was a financial necessity to sew for herself and later her family members. These days however sewing is a hobby, as ready-made clothing has become more affordable.

Joan learned patchwork and quilting 25 years ago; the items she created have become treasures for her family. Now she makes cushions, small bags, place mats and other useful items. She enjoys the challenge of creating beautiful things out of small pieces of fabric which would otherwise have been thrown away.

Choice of colour in textile work is important, and one of Joan's strengths is the vibrant colour of her applique pieces.

Joan's work can be purchased in our Lyrebird Gallery.