Getting up close and personal with art

On November 2 and November 3, The Bellarine Arts Trail will provide visitors with a vibrant mix of exhibitions and open studios.

More than 90 artists will showcase their works across 40 venues in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.

The event brings together larger exhibitions including the Taste of Trail exhibitionat the Barwon Heads Arts Hub, Hive Gallery and the Queenscliff Town Hall, with smaller intimate artist open studios in each town, featuring daily artist demonstrations.

At the Taste of the Trail,visitors can sample artists’ work and go on to visit their studios and exhibition spaces, the exhibition opened on October 19 and runs until November 4.

Bellarine Arts Trail coordinator Libby Darcy said the Bellarine’s unique coastal environment, nature, ocean, light and landscapes are key themes in many of the artists’ works.

“Visitors to the trail will discover a huge variety of art with artists working across a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, jewellery, weaving, photography, print-making, ceramics and glass blowing and we’re thrilled to showcase the region’s creative talent and provide an event which directly supports artists.

“Participating artists include established professionals and emerging artists and hobbyists.

“Work ranges from Georgie Gall’s landscapes inspired by ocean and light at The Hive Gallery to abstract visual art in vivid colours by Baz Shirley in Ocean Grove to character portraits in pastels by Mike Birrell at Suma Park Homestead, to Bevan Shepard’s Point Lonsdale inspired coastal landscapes to Rachel Scott Smith’s ceramics reflecting the marine environment and creatures, and so many more can be found in the Bellarine Arts Trail Map.”

The Bellarine Arts Trail is an initiative of the Barwon Heads Arts Council, working with artists from across the Bellarine.

Visitors can explore the trail with a digital Bellarine Arts Trail Map or pick up a copy from Visitor Information Centres at Geelong City Hall and the Hub in Queenscliff. Also from Queenscliff Neighbourhood House, Barwon Heads Arts Hub, Starfish Café Barwon Heads, Community Bank Barwon Heads, Driftwood Café Ocean Grove, The Hive Gallery Ocean Grove, Pasquinis and Cafe 3225 in Point Lonsdale. Head to bellarineartstrail.com.au