Colouring the coast with AAH

Buzzing creatives will have the chance to put their imaginations to the test this month at Anglesea Art House.

The 35th Kids Art Bash is an annual program which sees young holidaymakers and locals contribute to raising funds for the community-run facility.

Anglesea Art House president Jennifer O’Sullivan said the program was an opportunity for children to get crafty in a wide range of mediums.

“This year we’re offering extra workshops including book making with recycled paper, dreamcatcher making with recyclable materials such as bamboo and sticks, and we’re also running a beginner’s felting and air-dry clay session,” she said.

“Some of the program’s sessions allow children to come back to complete their project. For example, they can start a mosaic and work on it over a couple of days.

“All children are welcome, but we are not a drop-off centre.”

Ms O’Sullivan said the team had been working for about two months to develop the program, which involved buying materials, sourcing products, organising volunteers and childproofing the space.

“We have about 40 volunteers and 200 members. The initial set-up committee (for the program) consists of about 10 people.

“There’s no need to book sessions, it’s an ebb and flow kind of set-up.”

She also said the Kids Art Bash was the art house’s major fundraising event.

“The building is owned by the Surf Coast Shire. This funding allows us to make improvements to the space, buy new tools and provide materials for our members to keep our prices down.”

Last month the shire awarded Anglesea Art House $5,000 for the relocation and installation of two fish sculptures from the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The funds will also be used for general planting and landscaping at the venue.

“We were thrilled to pieces to get that grant; we’re pretty excited about it,” Ms O’Sullivan said.

“We’ll be reallocating the two Commonwealth Games fish in early February to the front of the art house. It’s been something that’s been a vision over the last five years.”

The Kids Art Bash program will run between 10am-4pm from January 2-24 (closed Sundays). Art activities start from $5. No bookings are required, but children under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Anglesea Art House is located at 23 Cameron Road, Anglesea. For more information, head to angleseaarthouse.com.au.

Alternatively, follow facebook.com/AngleseaArtHouse for regular news and updates.