Surf Coast Arts Trail to go virtual

ARTISTS participating in this year’s Surf Coast Arts Trail will showcase their work virtually in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Surf Coast Shire council has announced.

Steering away from its usual format of a one-weekend event in August, this year’s trail will take a new direction through a series of smaller events which will be spaced out over several weeks.

The first instalment is set to be staged in June, with events to include interactive classes, workshops, virtual studio tours, performances and discussions.

Surf Coast Shire councillor Martin Duke said he was pleased the popular event was still going ahead despite the public health crisis.

“Rather than cancel, we see this as a fantastic opportunity to offer an alternative program that is still in keeping with the arts trail ethos of bringing artists and art lovers together,” Cr Duke said.

“This is about adapting to the times. I think art is more important than ever right now. These online events are aimed at providing much needed enjoyment and perhaps some escapism for many in our community.”

This year’s theme has been adapted to “physical distance/social connection” to encourage enlightened creativity.

Cr David Bell encouraged local artists across all mediums to put their hand up and get involved.

“We’re also encouraging individual and collaborative contributions from creatives beyond the visual arts on (Not the) Surf Coast Arts Trail this year – writers, musicians, poets, designers – we’re all in this together.”

“We’ll be looking for great ideas for online events, collaborations and expressions of interest for ‘meet the artist’ online fireside chats and studio tours.”

Registrations for artists to take part in this year’s Surf Coast Arts Trail have been extended until 5pm on April 30.

To register, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/artstrail.