Fine-tuned designs for Winter Blues

By Emily Donohoe

Jul 16, 2024

Guitar painting at the Echuca library for the upcoming blues festival. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The annual Winter Blues Festival guitar decorating competition has kicked off for another year, with a new range of designs crafted by the community.

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Echuca library hosted decorating sessions on Wednesday, July 10 for wooden ‘guitars’ to be displayed in town during the Winter Blues weekend.

Marley Davey and Ava Beaton went for similar designs and matching outfits. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The long-running initiative encourages creativity, with Winter Blues Festival family space co-ordinator and art teacher Maggie Ellis praising the different ideas that emerge.

“There’s no theme, we just really let people explore and have fun,” she said.

“We have people from Melbourne and all over come, not just locals.”

Some artists wrote messages on their guitars, like ‘music is magical’ and ‘calm vibes’. Photo by Aidan Briggs

It is up to the artist whether they enter their design for judging.

The creations will be on show at a range of businesses in Echuca to be enjoyed by visitors and locals, as well as the artists.

“Part of the fun is for them to find where their guitar is,” Ms Ellis said.

“It’s kind of become a bit of a tradition with the families.”

The festival is entirely volunteer-run, and receives a range of community support. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The guitars are created by the Echuca Moama Men’s Shed with wood donated by Rochester Mitre 10.

Campaspe library also supports the project by hosting the sessions free of charge.

Young artists Ollie and Noah Beaton. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Artists have also been able to paint their guitars at home, at school, or in their nursing home.

“A lot of people buy the guitars and bring them back, so it’s always really exciting to see the guitars that haven’t been at the workshop,” Ms Ellis said.

“Customs House Art Gallery are selling a few for the adults at their place too.”