Colac Otway will be brightly glowing with creativity with the return of the Arts Trail spectacular
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Colac Otway will be brightly glowing with creativity with the return of the Arts Trail spectacular

Part of the joy of art is discovering new things, whether that’s in the form of a new artistic friend, something you didn’t realise about yourself or just a new art form you’ve never seen before.

Held over two weekends in October, Colac Otway will be brightly glowing with creativity with the return of the Arts Trail spectacular – an event that highlights the Colac-Otway Shire as a place to travel to not only for its physical beauty, its fabulous food, and wine and but also for its amazing art.

The first weekend (October 19-20) will see an abundance of coastal and hinterland Otway artists in the limelight while the following weekend (October 26-27) will focus on the creatives within Colac and surrounds, with many studios and exhibitions open for both weekends.

Within the arts trail, you’ll find up to 60 artists, 36 studios, a number of galleries and even some stunning displays to visit in towns spanning Apollo bay, Barongarook, Beech Forrest, Beeac, and Birregurra, to areas like Camperdown, Colac, Cororooke, Deans Marsh, Forrest, Gellibrand, Lavers Hill and Warncourt.

With a wide range in location and a wide range of art practice, there truly will be something for everyone to discover, with the opportunity to meet some of the artists behind the artwork in their own venues and studios, giving an insight into the artists living in our community.

New this year is the ‘Art Walk on Murray’, where art lovers can take a self-directed leisurely walk along Murray Street (Queen – Hart St) from October 18-28, and enjoy the works by local artists, with each allocated to a shop window. Essentially, this a taster of what you can visit on the trail, with the option of stopping for a coffee or a shop along the way.

An exciting addition comes straight from Winter Wild in Apollo Bay and before they head to White Night in Melbourne, with the very own Wild-honey Performing Arts, who will present its newest creation ‘The Elementals – Birth Of Light’ at Red Rock Regional Gallery and Theatre in Cororooke on Friday 25 October. This night will also feature a makers market with stalls, food, drinks, and buskers, as well as the official launch of the Emerging Youth Artist exhibition.

If you’re keen to immerse yourself in all the art but don’t want to travel on your own, The Art Bus will leave from the red door at Makers Space (next to COPACC) at 9.30am each morning to visit the Arts Trail. Not only does this mean you have the company of others and there’s no stress of being behind the wheel, but it also means you can enjoy a glass of champagne! Booking essential via the website.

While we could fill up pages and pages of what’s on offer, there’s an entire catalogue and a website with all the maps and details to guide you through the trail which should be your point of call ahead of the weekend.

Brochures available in the shops along Murray Street and in all participating towns or download from www.colacotwayartstrail.com