Bendigo’s art scene to open for all

TODAY marks the beginning of Bendigo Open Studios, a weekend where local artists throw open the doors of their homes and creative spaces to the public.

With 33 artists involved this year, there is plenty to see from the large-scale sculptures of Andre Sardone to the watercolours of Terry Jervis painted from his studio in the heart of Wellsford Forest.

First time participant in the program Reece Hendy of Nacho Station said he’s created something resembling a mini festival.

“We’ve got a whole weekend of programs, workshops, artist talks, performance displays, as well as a group show of all the past collaborators we’ve had,” he said.

In addition to a live performance from a mermaid and a literal nacho station, Hendy and Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrong artist Troy Firebrace are creating an artwork together that represents their creative friendship.

“He’s going to do an artist talk about art and culture and the combination, and his perspective as an indigenous man, so that’ll be a really cool open chat between fellow creatives,” Hendy said.

But Hendy said the weekend is less about getting people to his space and more about celebrating the collaborative and creative spirit that has been cultivated at Nacho Station.

“We’re just having a celebration of creativity, and celebrating our business and creative practice with our friends and collaborators,” he said.

Now in its third year, Bendigo Open Studios is seeking to broaden its reach across the spectrum of art being produced locally.

Contemporary art is represented at Nacho Station, and also Avenue Studios where residents Chris Duffy and Nathan Sims also known as Mr Dimples ready to invite visitors in.

“In the Bendigo community we celebrate the top-end art with the Bendigo art gallery and stuff like that, this is something that really celebrates art at the grass roots level,” Sims said.

Bendigo Open Studios seeks to provide artists with an opportunity to meet the and share their creative process, which Sims said is especially valuable for street artists like Sims and Duffy.

“You post everything up on Facebook and Instagram and all they see is the image, so to see the process, to expose that process to them and just let them know we’re here is a great opportunity,” Duffy said.

Open Studios is free to attend, and visitors can use a map to journey into the world of print makers, sculptors, painters, glass blowers, folk artists, and photographers.

Parking and accessibility conditions are listed alongside each studio location, with multiple locations fully accessible to people with accessibility requirements.