Just you, me and the trees for Grove art exhibition

LAST year, lifelong environmentalist John Bowman pioneered the Blank Canvas art competition, artists of all calibres were encouraged to enter a canvas and raise money for the Greens.

They collected 82 canvases and raised $2,000 with the money going to the Greens to aide their electoral campaign, this year it’s going to the trees.

“The beautiful Ocean Grove Park was saved from developer’s excavators by residents determined to protect the habitat of the indigenous Bellarine Yellow Gum,” Mr Bowman said.

“The gum is the perfect subject for this year’s Blank Canvas art show and its tree theme. Proceeds from the show will be spent on planting trees across the Bellarine Peninsula.”

Mr Bowman said with the removal of so many trees on Banks Road, Grubb Road and throughout the developments, it was the perfect opportunity to plant more.

“I love trees and I’m going through a tree phase at the minute. If we’re not careful we’ll end up with none. I’ve spoken to council, to Bellarine Landcare and Bellarine Catchment about my plans,” he said.

“A group in Drysdale are thinking about running their own show, people have said they need more trees in their street.

Now it’s just about finding public land or a landowner that will set aside land for trees.”

Mr Bowman said the possibilities are endless from wild life corridors, urban forests lining the streets and roads, or orchards throughout the community gardens – how and where is up for discussion.

“This show is about nurturing trees’ survival.

The Blank Canvas exhibition will be on display at the Driftwood Café from April 6 until May 2.People will be able bid on the pieces during the silent auction with canvases now available and free to collect from John Bowman or the Driftwood Café, 64