The Legacy of Little Hands

For fifteen years, the Little Hands creative drop-in program has been a place where families have come together to slow down, connect, and create—right in the heart of Lower Gibsons. What began as a unique community offering at the Arts Building, led by Laurel Sukkau, grew into a beloved program that has continued to nurture both parents and children through the years. 

The program has been sustained by the generous support of both Huckleberry Coast Childcare Society (previously the Arts Building) and Deer Crossing The Art Farm, along with the dedicated facilitators who have carried it through all these years. We would like to acknowledge founder Laurel Sukkau, and facilitators Sandy Buck, Chloe Langmaid, Jean François, and Hazel Bell-Koski for caretaking the program throughout its evolutions.

Little Hands offered a charming, free-spirited environment where families could explore, experiment, and engage in hands-on creative activities together. Each gathering featured a unique theme and activity, thoughtfully prepared by the facilitator. Using found or recycled materials, families might build sculptures, paint murals, screen print flags, or explore new art forms side by side. And yet, it was never about the end result—it was about witnessing participants find joy in small creative acts and build meaningful connections.

Over the years, Little Hands became a true social hub for young families on the Sunshine Coast. For many parents—especially those new to the community—finding connection can be difficult during the early years of raising children, not to mention during the pandemic when many programs shut down completely. Little Hands acknowledged these challenges and was dedicated to maintaining a space that was safe, welcoming, and adaptable, including outdoor sessions during the pandemic.

The legacy of Little Hands was carried by the people who experienced it firsthand. Sandy Buck from Deer Crossing the Art farm became the program’s second facilitator after Laurel retired from the program she founded. Sandy moved to the Sunshine Coast with her new family and Little Hands was a very important part of their weekly outings and community building. She led the program with heart, and passion as well as serving on the board throughout the growth and merging of the Arts Building and Huckleberry Childcare. Chloe Langmaid —a new mother and creative— first found solace in attending Little Hands in 2017, and then went on to facilitate it (kids in tow) for the following eight years, with support from Jean François and Hazel Bell-Koski.

Creating art can be profoundly empowering—for a toddler discovering new textures and colors, and for a parent rediscovering creativity in the midst of seemingly endless routine. These shared moments of expression help families recharge and reconnect with themselves and with each other.

As this beloved program comes to an end in 2025 we would like to thank the boards and staff of Huckleberry Childcare, Deer Crossing The Art Farm, and all of the families who have attended throughout the years and made the program what it was—a special piece of the arts community on the Sunshine Coast, and the beginning of a lifelong journey in creativity for our young ones.