A quiet creative revolution is underway in the remote town of St George, Queensland. It is several hours from the nearest major city, sandwiched between long stretches of bitumen and bush. It’s not the most obvious place for a thriving regional arts business.
The revolution is led by Kim Thorton, a former veterinary nurse who swapped scrubs for smocks to become a full-time artist in her hometown. Thorton grew up in a family of makers. Her mother and grandmother taught her to crochet and craft. Like many regional Australians, she never saw a clear path to a creative career. That came later, after years working in animal care and wondering: ‘What if I just gave this art thing a real go?’
