Sea Art: Festival of the Sea celebrates connection with arts program

THE Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea will this weekend celebrate Barwon Heads’ unique link with the sea and natural landscapes, its environment, history and tranquil lifestyle.

This year’s festival, from March 13 to 18, will also applaud another connection via the introduction of an arts program.

During the last six months, the Festival of the Sea, in partnership with the Barwon Heads Arts Council, has been hosting an Art Connections program, thanks to a grant from Bellarine Community Health.

The program aims to improve the psychological wellbeing, social connectedness, and positive management of chronic health conditions by engaging people with illness or disability in arts activities.

Participants attended art workshops facilitated by local artists and psychologists, which explored different themes and art media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, photography, drawing, percussion and music.

On Saturday March 17, the participant’s art works will be on display during the Arts Walk, which starts at Frank Ellis Reserve from 4pm until 6pm.

Follow the trail along the foreshore to several art stations as the Arts Walk – with the theme “Our History and the Sea” – looks at the history of the region, including ancient past, Aboriginal heritage, early settlers, use of the land, and how the community by the sea has changed over time.

For the Arts Connection program’s participants, the end goal of displaying their artworks in public adds structure, focus, and purpose to the ongoing activities, and fosters community connection and self-confidence.

The Arts Walk is a free community event as part of the Festival of the Sea, which will also include its popular rubber duck race, pot luck dinner, music program, kid’s zone, rockpool ramble and movie night.

Check out the program at festivalofthesea.com.au.