Trailblazing art: Follow the artistic trail this weekend

HUNDREDS of artists across the Surf Coast will open their private studios, gather in community spaces and demonstrate their skills this weekend for the Surf Coast Arts Trail.

Running tomorrow (Saturday, August 3) and Sunday, August 4, the trail will take visitors across 54 venues, spanning the hinterland to the coast, with the works on display ranging from painting and sculpture to textiles and ceramics.

Last year’s arts trail attracted almost 17,000 visitors, with more than 45 per cent of attendees residing outside the Surf Coast, including 336 visitors who travelled from interstate.

Anglesea metalwork artist Cinnamon Stevens and her arts consultancy business will host a trail launch party tonight (Friday, August 2) at Flowstate Distillery in Torquay.

Running from 5pm to 7pm, the catered event will give those interested in learning more about Ms Stevens’ service – which pairs art lovers, collectors and businesses with quality, locally created art – an opportunity to meet, talk art and enjoy a drink at the distillery’s bar.

She’ll also have some of her metal creations on display, along with the works of three other Surf Coast artists she represents: Lorne-based printmaker and “master of her craft” Robin McKay, interdisciplinary Moriac artist Heather Stewart and abstract painter Lorraine Archibald, whose lyrical paintings inspired by music and poetry will also be on display at her studio at Ashmore Arts.

“It’s a chance for people to mingle, meet the artists, meet other artists,” Ms Stevens said.

“I’m hoping some of the Surf Coast trail artists come just to let their hair down before the event, but also art lovers can come and pick up their map.”

Ms Stevens’ exhibit at Flowstate Distillery will then continue through Saturday afternoon between 12 noon and 6pm.

This year, 15 first-time participants will be taking part in the trail, including graphic artist and textile designer Sonya Zwolinski.

Ms Zwolinski, who splits her time equally working as a freelancer in the fashion industry and on her environmentally focused art-based business Otway Card Co., will be exhibiting a range of printed greeting cards digitally illustrated with vivid and intricate images of flowers and foliage.

“The card designs are all inspired by nature and gardens around the Otways and Surf Coast, so lots of native florals, and they have been going really well,” she said.

“They are produced with the lowest carbon footprint possible.

“Recently, the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens started stocking them, and they have been in museums, and in Ballarat and Bendigo art galleries.”

Every card purchased supports the work of not-for-profit organisation TreeProject, a group of volunteers who plant trees and native species to help regenerate land around Victoria.

Surf Coast Shire councillor Libby Stapleton said this year’s trail promised several highlights.

“We encourage people to immerse in this great experience, with an enthralling breadth of work on show and artists ready to share their creative spaces and creative processes.”

For more information on participating artists, or to download a trail map, head to surfcoastartstrail.com.au