Arts Trail to celebrate local creatives

THE Surf Coast Arts Trail is gearing up to celebrate 10 years of local art following last year’s cancellation.

In 2020, more than 6000 visitors were prevented from exploring 70 local studios as result of COVID-19, however with easing restrictions the Arts Trail has announced its return between August 6 to 8.

Surf Coast Shire councillor Mike Bodsworth said he was looking forward to the annual calendar event returning to an in-person setting.

“We’re incredibly proud of how our region’s artists adapted during the virtual Arts Trail in 2020, but nothing beats being able to meet artists in person and hear their stories and see their work in real life,” he said.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, attendees will get the chance to meet artists from the coast to the hinterland with a special launch on August 6 from 5.30pm to 7pm at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.

“The launch event will showcase the way artists in all mediums have thrown off the shackles of successive lockdowns to collaborate and create works for their community, before leading into the weekend to showcase the individual artists that call the Surf Coast Shire home,” Cr Bodsworth said.

As per tradition, artists who do not have studios will be placed throughout the shire at accessible venues to be on hand to talk to visitors about their artistic processes.

“All visual arts disciplines will be on show, and I look forward to catching up with our talented artists over the weekend,” he said.

In light of the 10th anniversary, the Surf Coast Arts Trail is welcoming two new components to celebrate local artists who call the shire home.

An outdoor exhibition titled Paste Up Portraits created by Torquay photographer Daniela Rodriguez will take place from August 1 to 22 and SCAS@TheMAC exhibition will bring most of the trail’s artists under one roof from August 7 to 22.

For more information and a full schedule of events head to the Surf Coast Shire website.