A series of cancelled creative workshops across Australia has led to frustration among ticket holders seeking refunds, while the event organiser says the cancellations were made after receiving alleged threats that raised safety concerns.
The workshops were organised by The Brush Bar, a creative events business offering activities including pyrography (hat burning), mosaic making and suncatcher workshops. Several events, including planned sessions in the Sunshine Coast region, were cancelled with little notice, leaving some customers questioning when they would receive their money back.
Customers said they were informed through emails that some events would not proceed due to safety concerns and that refunds would be processed. Some ticket holders later raised concerns online, saying they were still waiting for reimbursement or updates about cancelled sessions.
The organiser, artist Carina Lee, said the decision to cancel workshops was made after receiving what she described as credible threats directed towards herself, staff members, attendees, venues and her family. She said the matter had been reported to police and that cancelling events was a precautionary decision to protect participants.
Ms Lee said customer safety remained the highest priority and acknowledged that some refund issues had caused concern among attendees. She said the business was working through refund requests and addressing outstanding payments.
The cancellations affected multiple locations, with customers from different parts of Australia reporting similar experiences. Some attendees said they had purchased tickets weeks or months earlier and were disappointed after events were cancelled close to the scheduled dates.
A venue involved in one Sunshine Coast-area event said the booking arrangement had not been fully confirmed because required contracts and fees were not completed by the deadline. The venue stated it was not aware of any safety concerns relating to the location itself.
Police have not publicly confirmed details of any alleged threats, with authorities citing privacy considerations. The investigation status and any potential action remain unclear.
Consumer advocates say customers affected by cancelled events should keep records of ticket purchases, cancellation notices and communication with organisers when seeking refunds. Under Australian Consumer Law, consumers may have rights to remedies when services are not provided as promised.
The dispute highlights ongoing challenges faced by small event operators when dealing with cancellations, safety concerns and customer expectations. Event organisers are responsible for communicating clearly with ticket holders and managing refund processes when planned activities cannot proceed.
Creative workshops and community events have become popular across regional Queensland and Australia, providing opportunities for people to learn new skills and connect socially. However, cancellations can create financial and trust issues when customers have already paid for experiences.
The Brush Bar has stated that it continues to address customer concerns while prioritising safety. Ticket holders remain focused on receiving refunds and further information about the cancelled events.
