WORKS from the town\u2019s newest and most intimate collective art exhibitions were on show at the Old Church on the Hill last Sunday.<\/p>\n
Many artists from the Bendigo Open Studios program, scheduled for the Labour Day long weekend, filled the community hall with their work as a sampler of what\u2019s coming up next Saturday, Sunday and Monday.<\/p>\n
Throughout the event, visitors were treated to demonstrations of pet portraiture, paintings, charcoal drawing, sculpture and watercolour.<\/p>\n
Artist Sarah Wallace-Smith said she has loved being a part of Bendigo Open Studios, an initiative launched last year by Ian Dodd.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some fantastic artists here in Bendigo and everyone\u2019s been busy doing their own things so to actually get together and form one giant group of amazing people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Wallace-Smith said it will be great to be able to connect with people interested in her work when she opens her View Street studio next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important, people love to see where the magic happens and how, and ask questions and get excited about it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Open Studios features 34 artists, including watercolourist Terry Jarvis, sculptor Andre Sardone, street artist Mr Dimples and painter Frankie O, who is also the initiative\u2019s secretary.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so excited for so many reasons… it\u2019s just nice to take a breath and share what we\u2019re doing with everybody in Bendigo and surrounds,\u201d Frankie O said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about nurturing developing artists and giving them a stage where they can share their work, processes and spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n