Labours of Love
Published on 15 May 2026
Multidisciplinary artist Jade Lees-Pavey works across photography, sculpture and textile art. From her initial Certificate in Art and Design with a major in Photography, minor in Graphic Design in the 1990s to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture she’s currently working to complete at RMIT, Jade has loved having a hand in all facets of art. From the time she got her first set of 72 coloured Derwent pencils as a child, Jade has been drawing, making and capturing images of the world around her.
Born in in Mornington, she’s spent her entire life on the Mornington Peninsula, a gift of geography not lost her. “The Peninsula is a really powerful place. What draws me is the spirit of the land, bay and ocean. My family connections here run deep. My parents met on the Mornington Pier. Both sets of grandparents sat chatting on the seawall at Fisherman’s Beach. I have a photo of them there.” Finding threads that knit her to community, family and a sense of place are the cornerstones of her work. A socially engaged arts practitioner, Jade loves working with people, especially in her local community.
Her latest venture is the Community Crochet Project which will be activated as part of Frankston’s fabulous Southside Festival. The driving ethos behind this project is ‘gather, create, connect’. Her aim is to make a massive community crafted blanket comprised of 27,000 crocheted squares, roughly the size of a tennis court. “Everyone has yarn tucked away somewhere. I wanted to use all of that untapped potential because acrylic yard is made from petroleum and coal-based chemicals. It can’t go back into the earth. It needs to be used.”
The Community Crochet Project is not just about the making. The idea is that people can participate whether they are crocheting squares or just wanting to connect with community. This is an inclusive project welcoming participants of all ages and abilities.
It all began in early 2025 with a call out for materials. The response was beyond Jade’s wildest imagination. Five 50 litre tubs of yarn were donated! Next came the crafting. Sessions were offered in three venues, Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston North Community Centre and Frankston’s Bloom Café all with easy access to transportation so that anyone could participate. Jade found the sense of community pride in this project was palpable. “When you make something, you imbue it with the spirit of the maker. This notion has driven my project.” It’s certainly been a spirited venture.
When the 160 blankets are completed they will be donated to three groups extending the community reach of the project. The blankets will go to: Knit One, Give One, a charity that accepts knitted items, Mums Supporting Families in Need and to three wards at the newly named Peninsula University Hospital (formerly Frankston Hospital.) Its Oncology, Geriatrics and Mental Health units will benefit from a bit of handmade warmth and comfort.
Jade’s project was funded by an artist grant. She encourages people to apply for local grants if they have a passion project they’d like to share with community. “The grant I received from Frankston City to create this project was the most amazing thing. It’s everything I believe support of the arts should be. The team were so supportive. They helped me work out how to make the most impact with my funding.” The arts change lives. The Southside Festival is the perfect place to see that impact.
On Saturday, May 9th, as part of Southside Festival, Jade invited community members to participate in ‘The Big Crochet Day In’ at Frankston Arts Centre. It was a fun day of creativity and connection. The culmination of the project and the reveal of all the blankets will take place in Cube 37 at Frankston Arts Centre, Tuesday, June 16th from 4 - 6pm. Jade will give an artist talk on the day. Come celebrate community and the labours of love they have spent the 18 months creating.
ANDREA LOUISE THOMAS