Tiny Towns Arts Trail set to be a weekend of art and inspiration

Published on 12 April 2021

The towns of Bridgewater on Loddon and Tarnagulla will be part of more than 20 locations for the fifth annual Tiny Towns Arts Trail to be held this month from 23 to 26 April.

Bridgewater on Loddon will feature three locations during the arts trail – Mulwarrie Studio and Gardens, Arts of Olde and Secret Platypus.

At Tarnagulla, the Community Centre and Country Café, a studio at 87 Commercial Road (Mel Young and Mathew Bishop) and garden art space Octopus and Queen will all be featuring works.

All spaces are open throughout the arts trail weekend (Friday to Monday).

Murwarrie Studio and Gardens (3 Serpentine Road) will hold two-hour personalised tours of the gardens, featuring Indigenous food and fibre plants. Open from 10am to 5pm, bookings for the tours are essential. To book, call Mulwarrie Studio and Gardens on 5437 3255.

Arts of Olde (7 Main Street) will be open from 10am to 4pm featuring the gallery, gift shop, commissions and classes.

Likewise, Secret Platypus at 19 Main Street will open from 10am to 4pm and will feature Indigenous art, clothing and books, handmade soaps and candles – as well as local gourmet foods and hampers.

The Tarnagulla Community Centre and Country Café will feature works by local artists, curated by Mary-Ann Scull and will be open from 10am to 5pm.

The studio at 87 Commercial Road with Mel Young and Mathew Bishop will open from 10am to 4pm and will exhibit improvised wall hangings, and quilts using interplay of fabric, colour and shape. Jazz drummer Mathew will be playing at different times during the day.

Octopus and Queen (89 Commercial Road) will be having its grand opening on the Friday of the arts trail weekend – featuring works by artist Yvonne Wells. It will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Tiny Towns Arts Trail organising committee member Jude Nish said the arts trail had something for everyone.

“People taking part in the arts trail will experience a range of amazing creative avenues that are being undertaken by artists across these tiny towns.

“The creativity ranges from painting, drawing, printmaking, craft, ceramics, mosaics, metalwork, music, weaving, jewellery and photography, right through to gardens, outdoor sculptures, cooking, local produce and products, and more.

“The trail is also continuing to pick up artists and we encourage people to check our social media pages as new artists continue to join the Tiny Towns Arts Trail.”

This year’s arts trail will also include the inaugural Tiny Towns Arts Trail Portrait Prize, which aims to celebrate the creativity and diversity of the arts and artists in the Central Victorian tiny towns.

The Tiny Towns Arts Trail Portrait Prize will be shown at the Dunolly Historic Courthouse, with finalists selected from the submitted entries. The winner will then be selected by People’s Choice with a cash prize awarded to the artist whose work receives the most votes.

Jude said the trail provided an opportunity for local artists to promote themselves and their work, and to give these artists exposure.

“There’s some fantastic artists hidden out there who want to exhibit and share what they’re doing artistically. The arts trail is a way for these artists to do that and even sell some of their work,” she said.

“It’s also a great way to network and see what others are doing, and for people visiting the arts trail – a chance to enjoy the experience of the little towns and chat to the locals.”

Jude encouraged people looking to explore the arts trail to check the artists’ Facebook and Instagram sites, and websites, including if a site required bookings.

“Be aware and check out the fine print, and don’t be afraid to contact artists. A lot of the artists’ spaces are also open at other times – not just on the trail,” she said.

“So there’s also a good opportunity to make plans to revisit the trail in your own time, if you’re unable to get to the areas during the weekend.

“People also need to be aware that there are long drives and kangaroos on the road – so we remind people travelling the arts trail to be careful and mindful of the distances,” Jude added.

For those looking to spend a bit longer on the arts trail, accommodation options are available within or close to the towns on the trail.

Follow Tiny Towns Arts Trail on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Tiny-Towns-Arts-Trail-100301948482944 and Instagram www.instagram.com/tinytownsartstrail for more information and a complete list of participating artists.

Maps and a list of locations on the Tiny Towns Arts Trail are also available at information centres, cafés and all arts trail venues.