Last chance to catch local artists at home
Wingecarribee Shire Council is reminding visitors that the annual Southern Highlands Art Studio Trail finishes this weekend.
“Despite the recent downturn in visitors across the Shire due to the bushfires, we had a fabulous response to our opening weekend,” said Council’s Cultural Development Officer Jenny Kena. “But unfortunately all good things must end and this weekend is the last chance for people to view and purchase directly from the studios of this fine selection of local artists.”
The Southern Highlands Art Studio Trail is the feature event of the Southern Highlands Arts Festival, a time to celebrate and enjoy the creativity of the region.
“This annual festival is a wonderful event for our community, our visitors and our economy”, said Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Juliet Arkwright attending the launch of the festival last Friday evening at Heidi Garden Art Studio in Bowral.
“It ticks all the boxes in supporting the priorities of our Shire, fostering a vibrant community, providing an authentic cultural experience for visitors and promoting our creative industries,” she said.
The month-long festival features exhibitions, workshops and performances, as well as the Art Studio Trail which runs over the first two weekends of November.
Having opened last weekend, the doors of participating studios will re-open for a final time this weekend, the 9 and 10 November from 10am to 5pm.
This weekend is also the last chance to enter the competition to win a Studio Door Prize – all unique works donated by artists on the Trail. Free entry forms are available at participating Studios.
“We’ve received some lovely responses from both the artists and visitors who’ve attended the studios,” Ms Kena said.
“Importantly, the event allows our local artists to showcase their wares to an audience that they may never have been able to tap into before,” Ms Kena added. “The more exposure they can get the better!”
“In fact we know of visitors making the trip from the Illawarra, Sydney and Canberra to get a taste of some of our unique Southern Highlands art works.”
For more information, including a full program and Art Studio Trail map, visit www.shaf.com.au or contact the Southern Highlands Information Centre (SHIC) in Mittagong on 1300 657 559.
For further information contact Council’s Cultural Development Officer on phone 4868 0855 or via email at jenny.kena@wsc.nsw.gov.au.