IT’S TIME to explore this year’s Open Studio Trail, the popular Art Connect South Gippsland celebration of local creativity running each weekend until October 19.
Meeniyan Art Gallery hosted the official opening on Friday night, attended by members of the South Gippsland Shire art community whose works will feature on the Trail, and other guests.
Sentinel-Times caught up with steel sculptor Matt Williams and Regina Dudek who produces sculptures using metal and wire, also making jewellery, both artists specialising in repurposing discarded materials into striking creations.
Matt and Regina’s works are both featured on the Loch section of the Art Trail, his at the Gippsland Wine Co on the South Gippsland Highway and hers at the Mad Queen in Victoria Road.
Another Loch artist, Lucy Hersey, was also at the opening night, looking forward to welcoming locals and tourists to On Clarence Studios in Clarence Street, where the ‘Endless Garden Exhibition’ is currently running.
Painter Lucy handmakes naturally pigmented paint, using locally collected earth.
Her studio features both her work and that of artists from the region who don’t have their own studios.
Marianne Ruff who uses watercolour, oil, acrylic and textiles, and creates sculptures, chatted about her current art residency in the red Art Cube in Leongatha, hopeful that being featured on the Art Trail will boost visitor numbers to the Cubes.
All three Art Cubes are in the Woolworth’s carpark not far from the council office, one featuring a youth engagement project and exhibition and another an exhibition of acrylic paintings and mixed media collage by Rebecca Coulter that pay homage to William Blake.
Don’t be discouraged by the orange plastic blocks around the Art Cubes that give the impression they are off limits, as everyone is welcome to come and explore.
Fish Creek artist Helen Tiernan spoke of the influence of her Indigenous heritage.
“I look at marginalisation and first contact; I basically repaint history; it’s truth telling really,” she said, adding she’s moved towards environmental issues.
That includes a current focus on the sea and pollution, including the impact of sound pollution on whales.
Ross Garner, President of the Meeniyan Art Gallery, which is community run and proudly promotes and sells the works of artists from across the region, spoke during the official opening, encouraging people to get involved.
As part of the Art Trail, the gallery is showing the works of mixed media artist Melinda Holt with a focus on abstracted landscapes and spaces, the acrylics and oils of abstract artist Bruce Plant and the photography of Keith Haggett.
Mayor John Schelling praised those at Art Connect for what they’ve achieved with the Art Trail, now into its third year, noting it keeps growing, adding to the appeal of towns and boosting tourism across South Gippsland Shire.
Member for Monash Mary Aldred described herself as “a passionate supporter of the local arts community,” highlighting the fact the Art Trail showcases the work of about 80 talented artists across 24 venues.
“The arts bring people together,” she said, looking forward to taking home some South Gippsland Art to display in her Canberra office.
Head to artconnectsouthgippslandinc.com for more information, including the Open Studio brochure, with printed copies of the brochure available at various locations along the Art Trail.