Discover hidden treasures on this year’s Surf Coast Arts Trail

Published on 13 April 2022

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Torquay jewellery maker Marion Smith said the return of this year’s Surf Coast Arts Trail gives budding and established artists the chance to share their work once again.

“Most of us artists, like the rest of the world, have been locked away for the past two years. We’ve had more time on our hands to create, uninterrupted in our studios,” Ms Smith said.

“We’re excited the Arts Trail gives us a chance to share these pieces while allowing the community to meet the artists behind the creations.”

Running over 6 and 7 August, artist registrations are open for the Surf Coast Arts Trail 10th Anniversary – Take 2! It comes after the 2021 event, which marked a decade of the Trail, was cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Marion said her works – from jewellery to paintings – are inspired by her coastal surroundings and aim to convey the importance of “preserving our environment”.

“Creatively, having been locked away, that’s where I get my best work done. It will be great to open up my studio and talk to the public about what my works represent,” Ms Smith said.

Surf Coast Arts Trail is an opportunity for Surf Coast artists to showcase their work and to open their studios and creative venues to thousands of visitors.

“My pieces are about preserving nature and capturing the beautiful environment we live in. There’s so much talent on the coast now, and the Trail is a chance to discover a whole plethora of artists tucked away.”

Having studied, and taught art for the past 30 years, Marion said the greatest thing about this event is “connection”.

“When I teach, I tell my students the more you know about the artist, the better you understand the piece and what they’re trying to convey within it,” she said.

“The Arts Trail is a celebration of art and connection to the community. It’s not necessarily about who the best, the most experienced, or renowned artist is. Instead it’s an eclectic collection of artists across all mediums.

“It’s about sharing what’s been created and why, from artists doing what they love from their kitchen, the spare room, a shed, or a studio.”

Artist registrations for the 2022 Surf Coast Arts Trail are open until Saturday 30 April.

The trail welcomes all mediums – pottery to blacksmithing, painting to jewellery, printmaking to woodworking, and much more.

Local artists can register for the event and find out more information via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/surfcoastartstrail.

 

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