Anglesea family returning for 10th Arts Trail

THE 10th anniversary of the Surf Coast Arts Trail is fast approaching, and a familiar family is again preparing to shine in the annual event.

Anglesea’s Solly-Giles family is opening their studio doors as they join more than 200 artists from the coast to the hinterland showcasing their art from home studios and public galleries.

Printmaker Jill Giles and woodworker husband Geoff have joined ceramic artist daughter Melinda Solly and her husband Matthew in showing off the family’s studio and divulging their creative processes.

“It is lovely, and we have fun setting it all up and making it look nice, and all of the rest of the family come along and feed us and look after us,” Ms Giles said.

“We’ve been in it from the start and it’s a very enjoyable weekend.

“It’s lovely talking to people who visit about your work and how you do it, and for me explaining the different ways of printmaking. It’s a great family involvement too.”

The Arts Trail, slated for August 6-7, is back to its tradition timeslot following a disappointing and abrupt eleventh-hour cancellation in 2021 due to the pandemic.

Expected mediums on the Arts Trail will range from Ms Giles’ collagraph prints and Ms Solly’s fine ceramics to jewellery, painting, sculpture and glasswork.

“A lot of artists work by themselves, so to have people come around and see what you are doing and appreciate your work is a real buzz,” Ms Giles said.

Surf Coast Shire councillor Mike Bodsworth said participants like the Solly-Giles family are a major reason for the Arts Trail’s success and why visitors keep coming to the region.

Printmaker Matthew Solly at work. Photos: SUPPLIED

“Meeting artists in their own settings and seeing their work and methods up close can inspire as well as delight,” Cr Bodsworth said.

“We are fortunate to have such a welcoming and talented creative arts community right across our shire and we look forward to the Trail returning in person in August.”