THE Wimmera has long been a hub of creativity, with a thriving artistic scene that includes galleries, studios and festivals.
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Horsham Regional Arts Association chairwoman Charee Smith said the region’s arts community was prolific.
“We have a strong, thriving arts community in the Wimmera due to the commitment of the people who established it years ago,” she said.
“The support from various art groups has helped fund and develop the art scene. There are people from the region who have gone on to do some amazing things in the art world.”
Established in 1995, the Art Is… festival was founded on the principle of involving the community in all things art.
General manager Sarah Natali said the festival continued to grow.
“It was started by this strong body of volunteers from the Wimmera art scene,” she said. “The great thing about the festival is that it’s something different.
“It’s nice to have an alternative art scene to what is already here. What the festival does well is that community engagement.”
One of the Wimmera’s most popular artistic events is the Nati Frinj Biennale. Every two years, the event celebrates and showcases the creativity of Natimuk’s residents.
ACT Natimuk general manager Greg Pritchard said the event was reflective of the town’s deep-rooted artistic spirit.
“It’s been this amazing vehicle to show off what we do and its really put us on the map,” he said.
“We have estimated that art has brought close to $1 million into the town’s economy.
“People are really starting to look at western Victoria more as an artist region through the Silo Art Trail too.”
Mr Pritchard said Natimuk was an ideal town for artistic people.
“There are probably about 600 people in town and maybe 60 of them are rockclimbers,” he said.
“It has this cosmopolitan edge. If you have a crazy idea that you want to try out, people won’t laugh you off – rather they’ll get behind the idea and support you.”
Alongside fellow Natimuk artists Dave Jones, Mary French and Jillian Pearce, Mr Pritchard has been working on a new project called Poppet – a commission for Bendigo’s Regional Centre of Culture.
“We will take what we do at the Frinj Biennale and bring it to Bendigo,” he said.
“There will be three screens around the poppet head that will be projecting images, similar to what we do to the silos at Natimuk. It will be great to showcase what we do at Natimuk to a wider audience.”
Located in the heart of Horsham, the Makers’ Gallery and Studio is a hub for creative people who want to try something new.
Secretary Trish Venn said the studio had 150 members from six different groups.
“It’s great to have a place where people can can come and express themselves through art, and have a go at learning new skills,” she said.
“The studio helps people connect to each other.”
