From blank canvas to woodland park

Driftwood Cafe will host the third annual Blank Canvas Art Show.

Ocean Grove’s Driftwood Cafe will host the third annual Blank Canvas Art Show this Easter with the support from the Bellarine arts community and Greens volunteers.

Last year there were more than 150 entries for the silent auction, with its popular ‘tree’ theme. All money raised was used to plant trees at Lake Avenue Reserve in Ocean Grove and on the Bellarine Rail Trail in Point Lonsdale.

This year’s theme is ‘The Beautiful Bellarine’ with three categories of entry; Open, 13 and Under; and Photography (prizes pending).

A grand finale, with the opportunity to make the last bid, will be held on Thursday, April 16 from 7pm to 10pm.

Live music with Andrea Robertson, another action-packed Poetry Slam and lots of Driftwood canapes will be on offer for $20 entry.

Organisers hope to again have the invaluable support of City of Greater Geelong Parks and Gardens department, Coast Care volunteers, neighbours and children to finish what was started last year – a beautiful woodland park at Lake Avenue Reserve .

Organisers said there would have been no trees planted without the generous artists who donated their work for sale.

The 8×10 inch canvases and entry forms are available for collection at Driftwood for $2. Photographers will need to supply their own frames or canvases. All entries need to be returned to Driftwood by April 1, to be displayed during the Easter school holidays.

The trees planted last year on National Tree Day are thriving, but so are the weeds.

The Greens have declared Sunday, March 29 as National Weed Day. Volunteers are asked to bring a pair of gloves from 10am to noon and help make the trees thrive. A barbecue will follow.