On Monday, November 11, it was announced the Campaspe Artists Studio Trail committee was one of 103 community groups to receive a slice of $1.05 million to enhance the vitality and liveability of regional areas across Australia.
The Campaspe Artists Studio Trail committee received a $4944 grant for its studio trail event to “increase community connections” and “create economic opportunities for the arts in the Campaspe region by supporting promotion of publicly accessible art events”.
The grant was awarded through the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal, a program aimed at revitalising less-populated areas of Australia through funding community groups and organisations that know their areas best.
At the helm of the group is Dey Alexander, an artist herself, who is passionate about showcasing what the artists of Campaspe Shire have to offer.
She said she was thrilled when she found out the group was successful in receiving the grant, as it meant the members could properly promote their upcoming event.
The event on Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23 is intended to allow art lovers to visit different home galleries across Campaspe Shire, speak with artists and buy art at an exclusive studio price.
Over 27 artists will participate in the trail from across Campaspe, including in Kyabram, Rochester, Rushworth, Echuca, Gunbower, Lancaster and more.
Ms Alexander said she intended to use the grant to promote the event on social media and provide signage to artists for their galleries over the weekend.
“We’re hoping to get not just local visitors, but visitors from far away or interstate come into the region and be able to see art and meet with artists in a much less formal environment,” she said.
“They will also be able to ask questions (to artists) to get a bit of an insight into how and why people create things, and also to be able to buy art at studio prices, which could be 25 to 50 per cent cheaper without the gallery commission.”
FRRR place portfolio lead Jill Karena said the foundation was committed to supporting local groups that knew what would best meet the needs of their community.
Echuca’s Women’s Health Loddon Mallee Inc was also successful, receiving a grant of $10,000 for its Nurture and Nourishment Gatherings for First Nations Women program, along with Shepparton’s Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program, which received $25,000 for their Community Action Network.
“We know that for every state, region and town, priorities will be different, and we are here to work with local groups to help them address their needs and strive to celebrate their vibrancy and acknowledge their tenacity,” Ms Karena said.
Any artists interested in participating the Campaspe Studio Art Trail can register their interest by visiting castrail.art/get-involved/
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