By Kath Gannaway
The final weekend of the Yarra Valley Open Studios on 11 and 12 November showcasing the work of artists along the Warburton Highway was another huge success for Yarra Valley Arts.
Hundreds of visitors, including artists from across Yarra Ranges flocked to the studios of 16 artists from Gruyere through to East Warburton.
The Warburton Highway artists’ weekend built on the success of the previous weekends, where artists along the Maroondah Highway opened in September and along the Melba Highway in October.
Bill Proctor of Launching Place said spreading the event over three months had been a huge success, with more visitors on the Saturday than for the entire weekend in previous years.
“It also gives artists from other areas a chance to visit, and for us to visit them,” he said.
“It helps strengthen the network and you can see where people work and what they are doing.”
Visitors to the Hoddles Creek studios of Bev Hardidge and Graeme Hardidge experienced two very different artforms, with Bev’s colourful works surrounding her in her rustic studio while Graeme’s monochrome anvil struck a different chord as he turned old car parts into quirky garden ornaments.
Both agreed the three-weekend format is a winner, bringing more people, particularly to those artists who are a little off the highways.
Visit www.yarravalleyarts.org.au for more information on Yarra Valley Arts events.
