A new exhibition of works inspired by the natural beauty of the Bellarine opened this week in Curlewis.
The Woodlands of the Bellarine, presented in partnership between Artisans of Australia and Bellarine Landcare, is on show at Artisans Gallery until August 11.
The free exhibition is part of the Geelong Nature Festival, displaying the works of 34 local artists in media such as painting, pottery, sculpture, mosaics, metalwork and furniture making.
Bellarine Landcare committee member and volunteer Kate Simpson is also a contributing artist to the exhibition.
She said the exhibition celebrated the local natural environment, which humans were a part of rather than separate from.
“We hope that the exhibition inspires people in our community, as well as artists, to learn more, get out and explore the beautiful natural places on the Bellarine Peninsula,” she said.
“The thing I would love people to do is to observe nature more closely, because the first step in connecting with the natural world is observation.
“I think art can really help us to hone in, to focus on an aspect of nature, and from there be inspired to see our own gardens, our parks, our environment in a new way.”
Artisans Australia founder and manager Helen Meikle said Woodlands of the Bellarine, following immediately after the gallery’s NAIDOC exhibition, was all about “treading lightly” on the land.
“It shows a lot of diversity in our artists and what they provide, but also in what inspiration nature has provided for them,” she said.
“It’s a space that asks you to reflect and to be calm… there’s so much colour and passion, it’s a space to spend time in.”
