Arts trail goes from strength to strength

CROWDS flocked to the second Annual Bellarine Arts Trail at the weekend, with the event doubling in size this year.

A community- and artist-led initiative organised by the Barwon Heads Arts Council, the event featured more than 100 artists across 40 venues in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.

Crowd numbers were up from the 2016 event despite the cooler weather over the long weekend.

The Hive Gallery in Ocean Grove welcomed more than 680 visitors over the two days, a 10 per cent increase on the previous year.

Owner Karen Spreadborough said she was thrilled with the patronage and community support.

“It was fabulous to see the growth of the arts trail itself and also to see the relaxed interaction between the many visitors and artists,” Ms Spreadborough said.

“Congratulations to the Barwon Heads Arts Council for a well-organised second trail.

“We look forward to this event going from strength to strength in the future with the combination of the arts trail and Toast to the Coast Cup weekend being a real drawcard on the Bellarine tourism calendar.”

Libbet Loughnan opened her family’s sprawling beachhouse in Barwon Heads bringing together locally and internationally celebrated artists under one roof.

More than 400 visitors enjoyed the laidback environment where afternoon tea was served.

Barwon Heads Arts Council president Victoria Strachan said the big crowds showed the enormous interest in the Bellarine as an arts destination and the calibre of our local arts community.

“With Geelong Council’s drive to be a creative region, the Bellarine deserves to be a major player in this strategy.”