Creativity blooms along the Bellarine

Artists and visitors embraced a weekend of creativity during the Bellarine Arts Trail, which saw more than 90 studios and galleries open across Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. Photos: MICHAEL CHAMBERS

WARM weather, bustling studios and a buzz of creativity marked another successful Bellarine Arts Trail across Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff last weekend.

More than 90 artists opened their studios and exhibition spaces for the two-day event, welcoming hundreds of visitors eager to exploring painting, sculpture, ceramics, fibre art and more.

Nic Everist painted 100 trees in 100 days, a project she took on while on maternity leave to help bring more freedom to her work.

Event coordinator, Lou Kennedy, said feedback from participating artists had been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting strong visitation and value exposure.

Barwon Heads proved a lively starting point, with the community hub transformed into a “buzzing” creative space showcasing the works of several artists, including a stunning display of tree paintings by artist Nic Everist, who this year set herself the task of painting 100 trees in 100 days.

The Compostable T-shirt’s Kelly Thomas with Cathy Edwards and Billi.

Kennedy thanked the 13 volunteers who helped make the event possible, and the Barwon Heads Arts Council for its continued support.

“It definitely takes a team,” she said.

Looking ahead, she said, organisers are keen to continue building on the trail’s success, with live music, evening sessions and the inclusion of more artforms, like film, already being explored for next year’s program.