Arts trail excitement builds

The Barwon Heads Arts Council (BHAC) is very excited about its second Bellarine Arts Trail, to be held across Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff on Saturday November 4 and Sunday November 5.

During the two-day event, artist studios, artist collectives and local galleries will open their doors to art lovers.

The Bellarine Arts Trail features local artistic talent including painters, sculptures, photographers, jewellers, illustrators and more.

This year the event has more than doubled in size. There are 40 venues to visit across the four towns and more than 100 artists to meet.

The trail gives visitors the opportunity to talk to the artists who make the local art scene tick, admire their work and even take some home.

A trail highlight this year is the inclusion of world-renowned artist Robert Ingpen, who will be exhibiting at Salt Gallery, Queenscliff during the event.

For over 60 years, Robert has collected objects from beaches and tidal pools.

Robert’s exhibition “In the Marginal World” features paintings inspired by a curious object he found in Queenscliff in 2015.

This year, some of Barwon Heads favourite artists from last year are back with new works to tempt, including of course Mark Cairns and John Druce.

Also, Jeff Brooks and Ross Harrison at 13th Beach Road, Libbet Loughnan and her team of very talented creatives at Hualpa House and the always popular Barwon Heads Arts Group at the Senior Citizens building in Clifford Parade.

New additions to the event include Shalanda Roos, Janet Smith and Deb Callan.

In Ocean Grove visitors will be able to visit a diverse range of artists including:

• Laurie Close – well known potter in his studio
• Dennis Sonogan – at Driftwood Café
• Indigenous artists Dr Eileen Harrison and her sister Helen Brotherton. Helen will be demonstrating basket weaving.
• Glass blower Glenda MacNaughton
• Vish Goddard at KYOSK
• Drysdale artist Justine Martin
• Studio 54 will host the 2017 Contemporary Art Prize. Contact owner Kerrie Bedson (0402 273 693) for more details
• Ceramicist Dani Salvo at her studio
• A group of 16 artists at the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood Centre
• The new 17 marine art collective led by Debra Jackson,
• and a fabulous range of talented professionals at The Hive.
• A new addition this year is Scott Andrews at Swan Bay Gallery. See his amazing wet plate (antique) photography.

Queenscliff and Pt Lonsdale artists include:

• Carolyn Mackinnon with sculpture, silver jewellery and photographic works at the venue she shares with Meryl Hodgson in Point Lonsdale
• Photographer Tom Rayner at Belsize Café
• Helen Martin, Vicki Clissold and Kelly Koumalatsos at St Georges Old School Hall
• Eight diverse and talented artists at the Queenscliff Uniting Church
• Darin Frankpitt and Jane Flowers at the Marina in venues 39 and 40
• Botanical artist Lavinia Cuming at her studio in Point Lonsdale
• Textile artist Cheryl Toth and many artists and art students at the vibrant and exciting Queenscliff Neighbourhood House
• BHAC also welcome new group Lighthouse Arts Collective in Point Lonsdale. The group, led by Suzie Wyllie will showcase a range of artistic endeavours including painting, music, performance and poetry
• Renowned glass artist David Hobday will be in his studio and represented at Seaview Gallery
• Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop will be showcasing the works of local artists Joel Wolter, Amanda Firenze and Andrew Gunnell. Artists will be demonstrating printmaking during the event.
• Tussock Upstairs Gallery in Point Lonsdale have an exhibition of “small works” – paintings, prints, jewellery and ceramics by local and regional artists
• Also included this year is the great Ocean Grove Rotary Art Show at the Point Lonsdale school.

There really will be a huge range of art on show and for sale during the event, and BHAC are thrilled to be able to showcase local talent on what will be an action-packed weekend.

Trail maps are available at the Borough of Queenscliffe office in Learmonth Street, Salt Gallery, Tussock Upstairs Gallery, Seaview Gallery, Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop, Geelong Gallery, Boom Gallery, Ryrie 101 Arts, Starfish Café Barwon Heads, participating artists, Ocean Grove Community Services office (next to Ocean Grove Library), Café Zoo in Drysdale, Tourism Victoria Information Centres including Queenscliff and participating venues.

Maps can also be obtained by phoning Arts Trail coordinator Karen Shirley on 0437 032 647.