Welcome to our Bundaberg studio
The Creative Ability Hub is a creative space providing support and arts experiences for people living with disability, offering 1:1 or small group sessions in visual art or creative writing, as well as support to attend arts events and workshops in the community.
Participating in creative arts can:
-
Increase confidence and self-esteem.
-
Facilitate social connection by helping people find common ground through a shared appreciation of art.
-
Reduce anxiety and physical discomfort through mindful engagement in the creative process.
-
Enhance emotional awareness and regulation.
-
Promote greater independence for individuals who wish to develop and sustain their own artistic practice.
Our creative programs in Bundaberg
Our creative art studio is a space where people living with disability are supported by a qualified artist to explore visual art and/or writing activities within the studio or in the community.
Develop your drawing skills. Learn how to see like an artist and how line and shading create form and depth in your drawing. Discover the richness of charcoal drawing.
Drawing
Learn the different ways acrylic paint can be used, from watercolour-style washes on paper, glazing with acrylic mediums to thick Van Gogh-style impasto painting on canvas.
Acrylic Painting
Expand on your drawing skills and get colourful by exploring pastel painting techniques with oil pastels and soft pastels.
Pastels
Watercolour painting can be tricky and using quality materials makes all the difference to the result. Learn how to use its unique qualities to create beautiful artworks.
Watercolour
Create loose and vibrant impasto-style paintings. Delight in the way oils blend effortlessly and how layering glazes produces depth. Find your own style with this versatile medium.
Oil Painting
Express yourself through writing. Working alongside a published author, bring your vision to the page and learn the art and craft of storytelling.
Creative Writing
Who we support
Teenagers and adults living with intellectual, physical, or psychosocial disabilities
NDIS participants looking for creative and meaningful support
Families seeking engaging, confidence-building activities
Support coordinators and carers looking for trusted, values-led services
Meet your local creative mentor
Jacqueline Read is a writer, artist and disability support worker with more than six years of experience providing creative experiences, skills training and support to people living with disability.
Her journey into creative mentoring began when she started supporting a young woman, the daughter of a close friend. Through creative activities and personalised support, Jacqueline saw first-hand how art could build confidence, strengthen communication and create opportunities for meaningful community participation. Inspired by the positive impact of this experience, she expanded her work to help more people living with disability discover the benefits of creative expression.
Today, Jacqueline combines her background in the arts with disability support expertise to provide inclusive and empowering creative experiences that help participants develop skills, express themselves and connect with their community.
Qualifications
Certificate IV in Direct Support (Disability)
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Graduate Certificate of Creative Industries
Disability Services Yellow Card
Blue Card (Working with Children)
Community connection in Bundaberg
Local involvement and media
The Creative Ability Hub is proud to support and participate in the Bundaberg arts community through exhibitions, events, workshops and creative collaborations.
Featured community involvement
-
Community arts events and exhibitions
-
Workshops and creative development activities
-
School and organisation collaborations
-
Local news and media features
-
Council-supported arts initiatives
TESTIMONIALS
“Our family arrived in Bundaberg in 2019, and Jacqui from The Creative Ability Hub was recommended to us by an O.T. for therapy related activities for our daughter Jana (Intellectual Disability and Down syndrome). Under Jacqui’s guidance, Jana has learnt and developed skills and techniques to pursue her love of art, showcasing in several local art exhibitions. Jacqui has an amazing ability to draw out the inner artist’s expression in multiple mediums and genres, be it drawing, painting or story writing…”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Steve and Jenny Connolly
Jacqui’s ability to interact, communicate and work with individuals no matter what the disability, behaviour or need (even non-verbal), brings out the best in people. Our daughter has gained great confidence in her abilities, pursuing her art career, even the sale of her art, giving her experiences she would not have had without Jacqui’s input. Jacqui is a very loving, caring and compassionate person who goes the extra mile and strives to bring out the very best in each person she works with. Highly recommend you give The Creative Ability Hub a try.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Steve and Jenny Connolly
“Jacqui has been a true mentor in my artistic journey! Finding someone who can guide you through the technical side, like choosing between acrylics, oils, or watercolors – while also nurturing the therapeutic side of your practice is a rare gift.
Using art to calm my central nervous system is a powerful form of mindfulness. By focusing on the tactile nature of your tools and the flow of your medium, you’re essentially practicing creative meditation, which is fantastic for my well-being.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Erin Case
“I enjoyed the time I spent working with Jacqui Read at the Creative Ability Hub. I learned not only new skills but also confidence with working with new mediums that I’ve never worked with before. And had plenty of fun during my time there.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jess Taylor
Frequently asked questions
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about how we support participants, or if you’re exploring options for yourself or someone you care for, we’d love to hear from you.