Background

The first Loddon Valley Arts Trail took place in October 2023, a weekend of open studios and pop-up exhibitions across the shire. The idea, originally suggested to Loddon Shire Council by a small group of artists, was to give artists and craftworkers the opportunity to show their work to locals and visitors. In 2024, as well as open studios and pop-up exhibitions in cafes and neighbourhood houses, the Trail included unique Loddon venues, such as the historic hall in Tarnagulla, the restored Goods Shed and Nimmitabel mansion in Inglewood, and the Memorial Hall in Boort. Talks and discussions explored ideas of place, landscape, creativity and the history of the Loddon region. The Trail, a simple idea of inviting people to see art and meet artists, proudly embraces the opportunity to encourage interest and participation in creativity.

Aims

To create a quality program that takes its place within the Loddon Valley shire’s cultural calendar

To encourage interest and participation in creativity and broaden community expectations of how arts and crafts are beneficial

To provide opportunities for local arts and craftworkers to show and sell their work

To attract arts and craftworkers to the towns and regions of Loddon Valley to exhibit and talk about creativity and culture

To present an alternative map of Loddon shire that offers a different way to see the landscape, linking creativity with place, enabling appreciation of the history, places and people of the region

To be part of Loddon Shire’s cultural, economic and tourism strategy, encouraging visitation to benefit local business and community

Strategies

Embed the Loddon Valley Arts Trail in the cultural calendar as a shire-wide event that works with each town and region to identify interests and strengths

Complement the core activities of open studios and pop-up exhibitions with feature events that respond to those interests and strengths

Focus on hospitality within the capacities of each town and region by means of the expertise and support of Loddon Shire council’s tourism and economic development unit

Prioritise community involvement by unlocking the limitations on arts and crafts, through the creation of hybrid events and exhibitions that open up participation and interest in how creativity is beneficial for individuals, groups and communities.

Seek and foster collaborations with artists and craftspeople, venues and organisations, to best utilise and increase both resources and capacities

Committee

President: Lisa Calandro

Secretary: Rosemary Sorensen

Treasurer: Julie Benaim

Members: participating artists

Affiliates: participating venues and organisations