More than 900 people passed through the Bellarine Arts Trail hub in Barwon Heads on the weekend, delighting organisers.
The hub was the first port of call for trailgoers, who then drove off to some of the 32 venues across Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff.
More than 60 artists threw open their studio doors to the public for the two-day Barwon Heads Arts Council event on October 29 and 30.
Local artistic talent included painters, sculptors, photographers, illustrators, glass blowers, textile artists and more.
Bellarine Arts Trail coordinator Kaz Shirley said she was “blown away” with the response to the arts trail after a pandemic-enforced two-year hiatus.
“It was so good, just brilliant,” she said.
“Saturday the weather wasn’t great, but all the venues reported good numbers on both days.
“The Hive and some of the other bigger venues had 500 or 600 people go through.
“People are asking me about next year already.”
The trail allowed visitors the opportunity to talk with artists who make the local art scene tick, admire and purchase their artwork.
“A lot of artists sold their work,” Ms Shirley said.
“That’s not the main focus of the trail. It’s about connecting with the community, but when you sell work it just makes it that much better.
“The arts trail is really putting us on the map as an arts destination.”
Ms Shirley said the anticipation was already building for next year.
“It’s a huge amount of work, but when it all comes together like this it’s just so worth it,” she said.
