Exhibition to showcase healing journey of Indigenous group

Suffering from anxiety and PTSD hasn't been an easy road for Tracey Nicholson.

ART MAKES HER 'HOPPIER': Tracey Nicholson will be exhibiting some of her works at the Beulah Gallery Cafe in Buderim. Picture: John McCutcheon

"ART heals people. It's definitely been a healing journey for me.”

Suffering from anxiety and PTSD hasn't been an easy road for Tracey Nicholson, but when her paint brush caresses the canvas, she can feel the light inside.

"It helps me cope,” she said. "The only way I can describe being a part of the art group is that it's helped heal me.”

The group Ms Nicholson has called home for eight years is the Nandjimadji Art Group and Yarning Circle, an initiative of Suncare's Carer Support Program.

The members who are either experiencing or caring for someone living with a disability tell their stories through more traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art.

Suncare's First Peoples cultural lead Christina Fletcher runs the group and says providing a culturally safe space is the most important aspect.

"Out of that space comes art therapy,” she said.

"Not everyone paints, people do different things, but it's all about that yarning and that connection which I've seen has really helped them grow.”

To coincide with NAIDOC Week, the artists will showcase their works set against the native forest of Buderim in an exhibition at the Beulah Gallery Cafe this month.

Mrs Fletcher said the members couldn't wait to hang their pride and joy in the gallery for the public to see.

"It's going to be really great. I just can't describe the art. Over the years I've been constantly surprised at the talent, and I think the people of Buderim will too.”

The Nandjimadji and Murri Connection Lighten the Load art exhibition will run from July 8-14.

See their Facebook page for more information.