Arts Open Day this weekend!

A new arts event on Advantage Road in Highett has burst onto Bayside’s event calendar this spring with art studio doors flying open, welcoming the public into a world of local creativity.

Painters, printmakers, sculptors and other artists will host talks and demonstrations from their studio as part of the first Advantage Road Open Studios event.

Advantage Road Open Studios Event

Printmaker Lisa Sewards has worked from her Advantage Road studio for the past five years.

“Last year we held a group exhibition of many artists in the street at Graeme Altmann’s studio, and this year, with support from Council, we have grown that into an event that includes the whole street,” she said.

“This is a great opportunity for the artists who mostly work independently and don’t really open their studios, and for the public who are probably not aware that Advantage Road is a unique street of creatives working quietly supplying art to galleries, private clients, fundraisers and exhibitions.

“People usually just see finished artworks, and don’t realise the work that goes into many of these creative processes like printmaking that starts with an etching, is inked and eventually pulled through a press.”

Bayside Arts and Culture Program Coordinator Giacomina Pradolin said Council was eager to support this unique arts precinct in response to the community’s feedback for more family-friendly, outdoor culture events.

“We have previously held design markets, and this really is an extension of that program, helping to promote our creative industry while enhancing economic development and local art through events,” she said.

Food and live music will complement the open studios to create a vibrant event with a street-party feel.

A map will be available, providing times and locations for artist tours, talks, activities and performances.

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