The Granite Belt Art and Craft Trail is announcing a strong artisan line up for the 2020 open studios event. Over thirty artisans will be exhibiting on the trail at 17 different venues, from wineries to art galleries and beautiful small community halls.
Event founder Rosy Chapman reports that new and returning artisans are experiencing first-hand what the arts trail is doing for the Granite Belt’s economy and bringing the community together.
“Our artisans are good to go! We have an Indigenous collage artist, a contemporary dot painter and an indigenous arts collective, potters, street art, fibre artisans including that wonderful Mongolian Ger, leadlight artisans, fine art photographers, a candlemaker, watercolourists, a precious metal jeweller, and many more.
“Amiens History Association will be hosting a range of experiential activities for kids and the grown-ups: panning for tin, the 1920’s resplendent replica Railway Carriage “fit for a king“ and much more.“You can enrol in a class; you can watch a demonstration and you can get in and have a go. It is a great opportunity to get behind the scenes of creativity and be engaged in art yourself.
“Thanks to our 20-strong ukulele group The Graniteers, the entertainment at our small halls and surrounding venues is shaping up to be lively.
Over the last few weeks GBART has hosted workshops and photo shoots to help artisans promote themselves in the lead-up to the October event.
“GBART is actively promoting the artisans to the broader community and our weekend drive market through digital marketing campaigns, a new website and media liaison. Rebel FM and The Breeze have just come on board as sponsors, and we look forward to working with them in the lead up to the event.
“The Granite Belt has experienced extraordinary interest from major metro newspapers, travel writers and Channel 7 over winter, with accommodation houses booking out and a massive influx of tourists from our weekend drive market.
“We hope that this event will support the Granite Belt in its best spring season yet! So many Queenslanders are looking to holiday here this year in support of regional economies. Many of our cellar doors are reporting that the majority of visitors are first-time visitors to the Granite Belt. This will be the year of road trip adventures for many Australians!” says Ms Chapman.
This year marks the second inauguration of the arts festival which provides a fully immersive experience of the rich tapestry of culture, talent, history and artefacts in the region. There will be a three-day, COVID-sensitive event opening at 10am on Friday 30 October and closing on Sunday 1 November at 4pm.
Organiser Rosy Chapman was inspired by the Silo Art Trail, which resulted in international media attention, an influx of tourists to the region, and expansion of the trail into a 200-kilometre-long outdoor art gallery. Today the Silo Art Trail has expanded into SA, NSW, WA and Qld, and delivers ongoing benefits to tourism in each region.
The Granite Belt Art and Craft Trail – Open Studios Event follows a trail map to discover a variety of local artists, as they exhibit at studios and galleries as well as taking up residence in community spaces.
