CREATIVES BRUSH UP FOR TRAIL

LOCAL artists are being encouraged to register for free online workshops and submit their event ideas for this year’s Surf Coast Arts Trail.

Titled #NotTheSurfCoastArtsTrail, the popular annual event will take a different format in 2020.

The preliminary program will include a series of online workshops for artists, to be held during June, while the second stage will include a diverse schedule of mostly online public events held during July and August under the title “portal”.

Councillor Martin Duke said this year’s event would be as unique as the time we are living in.

“The driving force is to sustain individual artists and broader community wellbeing by offering a program of events that is safe, engaging and that tells the unique stories of the Surf Coast during this unprecedented time,” Cr Duke said.

“In recognition of the financial impacts upon artists and creatives during the pandemic, there is no registration fee for this year’s event.”

Surf Coast-based watercolour botanical artist Natalie Martin and clothing designer Fi McPherson, founder of Oishi-M and her new clothing line Okki, are just two local creatives offering workshops.

The second part of the program, being held during July and August, will offer a diverse schedule of public events, including virtual studio tours, exhibitions, workshops and podcasts.

Cr David Bell said this would allow local artists to come up with, and manage, their own event.

Go to www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/ artstrail to lodge an expression of interest.