The Bellarine’s premier performing arts venue released its annual report this week, reporting attendance numbers in-line with those before the pandemic.
The Bellarine Arts Centre, better known as the Potato Shed, saw 103,028 patrons, including 38,640 students, through the venue over the last 12 months, marking a return to pre-COVID numbers.
The 97 performances throughout the 2022-23 period included dance, theatre, circus, music, comedy, school holiday activities and morning shows, offering entertainment to all ages of audiences.
Season highlights included performances of Rebel, Chameleon, Margaret Fulton the Musical, Women of Wit, Relate, Barbaroi and Mayor for a Day.
The return of Spookfest in 2022 was another highlight for the venue, attracting over 2000 visitors.
During the pandemic a community usage of the venue diminished, with several dance groups ceasing to operate and others cutting back operations.
New groups have formed in the past year, with two resident theatre groups returning to regular activity.
Bellarine Ward councillor Elise Wilkinson said the level of activity at the Potato Shed was “astounding”.
“This (venue) has been in operation for 21 years, and I’ve got to say, it really pulls its weight in terms of the arts community down on the Bellarine and for broader Geelong,” she said.
Fellow Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason noted the “finesse” with which the “dedicated staff” ran the venue.
“There has been really good management of the Potato Shed and 2023 was a wonderful year,” he said.
“We’re expecting to continue to encourage local artists, encourage innovation and encourage uninhibited creativity.
“So (we’re) looking forward to Season 24 which has an exciting array of theatre, cabaret, circus, dance and music with special guests Jane Clifton, Tash York, Colin Mocket OAM, Emma Donovan, Stories of Soul from Family and Country and a return to Spookfest, which in this case is a spooky new adults-only performance from cabaret provocateur Dolly Diamond.”
