Aussie summer shines in art trail

ARTIST Kathy Holowko has collaborated with the City of Ballarat to create this year’s Christmas art trail.

Running through the CBD, it features six locations, each of which display a brightly coloured artwork including a wallaby and three hidden skinks.

Holowko said she took inspiration from the Australian experience of Christmas and native animals.

“I wanted to bring it back down to a really Australian summertime,” she said.

“All the Christmas tropes are kind of complicated here, so I was focusing on a real local, summertime feel.

“I looked to local landscape, places and animals and turned them into characters.”

Those who complete the trail have a chance to win one of three Made of Ballarat hampers.

Holowko encouraged community members to take the trail and explore the Ballarat CBD this festive season.

“I hope they enjoy diving into these enormous scenes as they are so big you can kind of feel immersed in them,” she said. “It’s a great idea that they are dotted around town and they can have a real wander.

“You really notice all the beautiful features of the place and all the gorgeous buildings.”

For more information about the trail, visit the Christmas in Ballarat website.