The event is open to the community at the home in Smith Street, Grovedale on Friday, 23 August from 1.30 to 3.30pm.

Behind the scenes

Residents will have a gallery display of selected artwork, as well as a stall selling a range of items including stenciled wooden home décor items, seasoned salts, knitted items, and home décor lanterns and trinket bowls.

The home has teamed up with several community stall holders from the popular Rivertree Traders at Ocean Grove, selling clothing, accessories, home décor, gifts and potted plants. Ornamental Christmas trees and baubles hand made with embroidered ribbon and beads will be available on another stall.

Leisure and Activities Coordinator Liz Toffoli said residents were looking forward to their inaugural show and hoped the community would come along to support them.

“We’ve not been able to go out and about so much in the colder weather so we started to think about what events or activities we could have here and invite the community in,” Liz said.

“One of our residents came up with the idea of an art show that could showcase some of the residents’ work and talent and offer people a bargain or two.”

Invitations have been extended to residents at the nearby Calvary Balmoral Mews and other local retirement villages, as well as residents’ families.

“It would be just great if people came along,” said resident Aileen Cook, 84, whose craft work includes stenciled wooden drink coasters and cheese boards.

Amongst her other works, Aileen said she was proud of the colourful lacework that will be on show in the gallery, and 85-year-old Fay McClure was most impressed with her flavoured Himalayan pink salt creations.

“I like to give everything a go, but I think that is the one I enjoyed the most, mixing and being able to smell the different combinations with the salts,” she said.

A production line of residents helped pour the thyme, rosemary and orange peel and dried lemon peel, cracked pepper and oregano combinations into labelled jars ready for sale.

“Come along,” said Aileen. “The more the merrier.”