News
27 July, 2024
Over 40 years of Folk Art
Folk Art Cooperative recently chalked up 43 years community service to Lowood and the wider region, and is proud to serve as a welcoming point for many of the district’s newer residents.
Since its humble beginnings in 1977, Folk Art Cooperative has been a cornerstone of community spirit and commerce in Lowood, serving locals with crafts, home cooking, plants, and a warm sense of community.
Established under a loose operational structure and weekly rental arrangements, the cooperative began as a small group of dedicated individuals selling their creations to support their craft.
In 1981, facing uncertainty due to the building owner’s decision to sell, the cooperative underwent a transformation.
Members navigated bureaucratic challenges and financial hurdles, including scepticism from a local bank manager regarding their all-female leadership.
Over the decades, Folk Art has evolved alongside Lowood, with the help of some 300 members over the years, and currently having 76.
What was once a town with limited retail options has transformed into a bustling community with modern amenities and recreational facilities like the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
The cooperative’s nursery, known for its native Australian plants and its diverse array of arts and craft s, continue to draw visitors and residents alike.
Despite financial ups and downs, Folk Art attributes its longevity to unwavering support from the local community.
Strong patronage, particularly from families involved in the construction of Wivenhoe Dam in the early years, helped stabilize the cooperative and enable it to repay its debts.
In 2015, the members of Folk Art chose to alter its structure from a Trading Cooperative to a non-for-profit Cooperative.
This enabled the organisation to seek some very welcome grants from all three levels of Government and from the Lowood and Fernvale Bendigo Community bank.
Folk Art has provided members and volunteers with an incentive to learn new skills and showcase their talents to the wider community.
