Art on show across tiny towns

FOLLOW the Tiny Towns Arts Trail this long weekend and discover diverse creatives nestled in the Central Goldfields, Pyrenees and Loddon regions.

Bealiba artist Tenar Dwyer is organising the open studio trail to encourage art aficionados to take the path less travelled in their search for sculptors, painters and textile creators.

“There are so many really good artists living in central Victoria, particularly in our little region, which is a quiet region where most artists have been beavering away inside their studios without any kind of connection to each other,” she said.

“It becomes a bit of an adventure. These little, tiny towns, most people wouldn’t even pass through them half the time.

“It brings people out to see what’s actually out here in the regions.”

The trail was first drawn in 2015 to connect artists in smaller regional areas like Clunes, Talbot, Maryborough, Newstead and more.

“We were trying to create opportunities for artists up here to show their work but also create a network of artists so that we can support each other and build this region as a go-to arts region. It’s kind of like a hidden gem,” Dwyer said.

She said last year’s trail was a “godsend” for art lovers and artists alike following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year we got feedback from artists who said that just having that ability to connect with people who were coming to see their art, it gave them a sense of purpose and sense that everything wasn’t completely dire.”

To check out the trail and its artists, visit tinytownsartstrail.com.au.