Art studios, collectives and galleries will throw open their doors this weekend for what is expected to be the biggest Bellarine Arts Trail event yet.
After a two-year pandemic-enforced hiatus, Barwon Heads Arts Council (BHAC) is presenting the arts trail that will comprise 32 venues across Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff and more than 60 artists in their studios or group venues.
The two-day event, on October 29 and 30, features local artistic talent including painters, sculptors, photographers, illustrators, glass blowers, textile artists and more.
Bellarine Arts Trail coordinator Kaz Shirley said there could be thousands who attend the arts trail.
“We’re very excited that it’s back on and if have sunny weather, we could be inundated,” she said.
“We’re hoping for lots of locals and visitors and there could well be 3000 to 5000.
“It’s hard to count the numbers because of the very nature of the event that people go to more than one venue, but in the past we have had very good estimates. It could go off.”
The trail gives visitors the opportunity to talk with artists who make the local art scene tick, admire and purchase their artwork.
A highlight this year is the inclusion of the newly built and opened Barwon Heads Arts & Community Hub.
The hub will host a group exhibition of all participating artists over a nine-day period from October 22 to 30 from noon to 4pm.
The exhibition, titled ‘A Taste of the Trail’, will allow trailgoers to get a sneak peak of the artists’ work across the 32 venues.
“You can see a piece from each person, get the trail map and plan your weekend,” Ms Shirley said.
“I can’t believe the depth of talent we’ve got around here. We’re still finding new talent and still being approached by talent that have been living here.”
Go to //bhac.org.au/ for more information.
