Gay Hawkes is known as a creator of sculptural/functional works expressed in the vernacular.
She passes on these skills in many community settings including schools, forensic acute mental health and private workshops.
During summer the "Dunalley Children's Chair Factory" operates in her superb boatshed studio, Dunalley, Tasmania and otherwise Hawkes is available on the mainland with her "Roving Shed".
In 2008 she was a finalist in the Australian Inspirational Teachers' Awards.

Works are represented in Parliament House, Canberra, Australian National Gallery, National Gallery of Victoria, Australian War Memorial, Powerhouse Museum and other major collections.