By Justin Flynn
The Bellarine Arts Trail has more than doubled in size since its debut last year.
The trail, which promotes art and artists on the peninsula, showcased 38 artists at 19 venues in 2016, but this year, more than 100 artists are taking part at 40 venues.
Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale have been added to the trail, which will also feature Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.
“Everyone’s excited about it – the maps are running out the door,” Bellarine Arts Trail co-ordinator Karen Shirley said.
“I had 5000 and I’m down to my last couple of hundred.”
The trail allows people to visit artists and view their work in their own studios and creative venues.
“One of the reasons we started was that we reckoned there was a gap for artists to showcase their work,” Ms Shirley said.
“Our aim is to really develop the Bellarine as an art destination in the eyes of visitors.”
The trail will be held on the Melbourne Cup weekend, which Ms Shirley said would maximise the benefits to the wider region.
“There are strong benefits to the community,” she said.
“We picked a busy weekend anyway, but people will also come to eat and drink and stay in accommodation places.”
The Bellarine Arts Trail, which is organised by Barwon Heads Arts Council, will be held on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November, from 10am to 4pm.
For more information and to view the arts trail map, see barwonheadsartscouncil.com.au
