Exploring nature through art

Published on 26 March 2021

Families will be able to explore the natural beauty of the Gannawarra through art these school holidays.

Gannawarra Shire Council is partnering with renowned local artist, Paul Oswin in hosting three Watercolour and Charcoal Natural Portrait workshops, occurring at Cohuna, Kerang and Quambatook between Wednesday, 7 April and Friday, 9 April.

“These three-hour workshops are the first event to be organised through the Creative Gannawarra program, which aims to support local creative people, industries and organisations,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“Paul’s iconic designs feature prominently throughout the Gannawarra and people who take part in these workshops will be able to experiment with expressive watercolour and charcoal techniques to produce portraits of native birds and animals.”

Designed for adults and children aged 12 years and over, each session costs $5 per person, with all materials supplied.

Sessions will be held at Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library on Wednesday, 7 April from 5pm, Cohuna’s Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre on Thursday, 8 April at 2pm and Friday, 9 April at the Quambatook Community Resource Centre at 10am. Bookings for all sessions are essential, which can be done by visiting www.trybooking.com/BPYOC or phoning Council on (03) 5450 9333.

Mr Oswin will also be taking his talents outdoors during the school holidays, drawing images reflecting local fauna with charcoal on trees across the region from Friday, 2 April.

“Families are encouraged to explore Kerang’s Atkinson Park, the Thompson Street nature strip in Koondrook, Cohuna’s Garden Park and Guthrie Street in Quambatook to see these works,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Both activities are funded by the Victorian Government’s Drought (Mental Health) Support Package.

Meanwhile, the Gannawarra Library Service will be hosting its in-house Easter school holiday program at its Cohuna and Kerang branches between Tuesday, 6 April and Thursday, 15 April. For more information, please phone the Cohuna Library branch on (03) 5456 2124 or Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library on (03) 5452 1546.