The Huon Valley Studio Art Trail is gearing up for its biggest year yet, with the number of participating artists doubling since last year’s event.
Running from 23 to 25 October, what started as a small, community-driven event has grown into a professional, multi-day celebration of art, craft and community, and this year promises to be one to remember.
“It’s a very exciting year, this year,” said Trail co-organiser Kerrie Rhodes. “There’s a real sense of connection between artists. They’re getting to know each other’s work and supporting one another in a way we haven’t quite seen before.”
New Artist Hubs will be spread throughout the Trail, including at Willie Smith’s, The Kiln Collective, Artisan’s Hand and Studio 359, bringing three or more artists together under one roof. An interactive online map makes it easy to plan a self-guided journey between studios. The opening night celebration will kick off a full weekend of demonstrations designed to draw people through the region rather than to a single stop.
Behind the scenes, the Trail is run by five volunteers – Libby Dyer, Nicole Hutchins, Heather Bertoli, and Kerrie and Peter Rhodes – who divide the numerous roles and responsibilities according to their strengths to keep everything on track.
For Mr Rhodes, the Trail is about giving people a reason to explore the beauty of our valley.
“People often come to the valley for one thing – a market, a particular stop – but the Trail is a destination event in its own right,” Mr Rhodes said. “It’s about the scenic journey and discovering there’s so much more to do than they expected. We hear it all the time, from visitors and artists alike: ‘I had no idea you were here and making this.’ It creates real pride in what exists in our valley.”
That pride extends to the artists too, many of whom are taking part for the first time. Ms Rhodes said the Trail had become something rare – an event that brings the region’s creative community together in a way nothing else does, giving artists the confidence to keep sharing their work with the world.
Council remains committed to supporting the Trail, this year through funding from the Event Support Fund and in-kind venues, including the Huon Valley Hub for artist workshops and networking events — support that helps ease costs for artists and gives the Trail room to grow.
The Trail’s dedicated organisers already have a five-year plan in mind, with hopes of bringing visitors back to the valley year after year, building stronger ties between artists, and getting more local businesses involved. This year’s focus is on Tasmanian visitors, with plans to attract visitors from interstate next year.
More information on the Huon Valley Studio Art Trail, including the full list of participating artists and studios, is available at Huon Valley Studio Art Trail | Discover Art & Nature — Plan Your Visit
The ARTBOX at Black Swan Park in Huonville will also be showcasing some of the work on display, so keep an eye out while you’re in town.
