For a third year, FIRST Disability Support & Training Service in Loganholme Queensland will host their annual Grind skate deck art exhibition.
The third year of Grind is set to be its biggest, with more than 100 entrants ready to display – and sell – their custom-designed skateboard decks in the Loganholme gallery this July. FIRST is an NGO supporting those living with disabilities on the NDIS, and Grind is an exhibition which hosts myriad artists from across the country of varying age and ability.
“This year has been insane,” event organiser Hannah Turvey says. “We have Western Australia entering, we have Victoria, New South Wales, a couple of entries from South Australia, and, of course, Queensland.”
The 2026 theme is ‘Myths, Monsters & Mayhem’.
The art displayed as part of Grind has been submitted by members of the public, school students, and people living with a disability. FIRST Service in Loganholme also serves as a workshop for members to participate in programmes which offer creative outlets, and learning new skills.
Image © Beau Gosney
The work produced by the members then goes into their shop, keeping the programmes running.
This year’s judges include skateboard deck artist Brett Clifton, Skate Advantage ambassador Matilda Wilson, and metalwork artist and sculptures Colleen Lavender.
Colleen has been a judge at every Grind exhibition so far.
“I was so blown away by how amazing and creative those guys are down there are,” Colleen says of FIRST Service. “They just open up tons of opportunities for people to go and have a go at different things.”
Professional skater Jesse Noonan will bring action to the art, with a live skate demonstration during the event.
“Our idea is to break the mould of being a day service,” Hannah Turvey continues, “to be a service that provides opportunities to develop skills and enhance people’s experience in their day to day lives.”
FIRST Service’s Grind skate deck art exhibition is on in Loganholme on 24-25 July. Intention to exhibit closes on 29 May – enter now.
