Looked at in out-of-date predictable ways, Loddon Valley Arts Trail in regional Victoria might not tick conventional boxes. But in forward-thinking, unpredictable ways, they like to think it’s a very different story.
Loddon Valley Arts Trail is an initiative of, and supported by, Loddon Valley Tourism and the shire of Loddon in Central Victoria. Now in its third year, it will take place across 30 venues, from 2 to 4 October 2026.
The Trail’s mission, says coordinator Rosemary Sorensen, is to encourage interest and participation in creativity and broaden community expectations of how arts and crafts are beneficial, provide opportunities for local arts and craftworkers to show and sell their work, and attract arts and craftworkers to the towns and regions of Loddon Valley to exhibit and talk about creativity and culture.
It also aims to present an alternative map of Loddon shire that offers a different way to see the landscape, linking creativity with place, enabling appreciation of the history, places and people of the region.
‘We’re rethinking the white-box gallery, heading out there, in every way – to heritage venues that marry perfectly with gorgeous art,’ Sorensen says.
‘We are providing tiny towns and small communities the opportunity to proudly host new work by Central Victorian artists, showcasing Loddon’s enticing ready-to-be-discovered places. Ambitiously, creatively and with our sleeves rolled up, we offer to the young-at-art, the happy wanderer and I-so-need-a-break-to-recharge-my-soul people a three-day program that defies expectations.’
‘The press of false things erodes the joy of inspiration, the pleasure of shared culture and the satisfaction of enjoying artistic creativity. Now is the right time to get back to basics and make a festival that is literally out there – in every way.’
Loddon Valley Arts Trail highlights for this year include:
Serpentine: Amanda Western’s art, sound and light installation in the magnificent heritage East Loddon Woolshed.
Laanecoorie: Darron Davies tintype photograph exhibition that turns portraits into instant heirlooms.
Kingower: a bluesy concert by Archer Shepherd in a little church that will host Wedding Man, a classic exhibition of country wedding photos spanning 50 years
Fentons Creek: in a paddock, with a view of Mt Kooyoora, a campfire concert by jazz musician Carl Pannuzzo.
Campbells Forest: the premiere performance by harpist Michael Johnson of music composed for the galaxies and performed where the night sky is awesomely clear.
Inglewood: a Eucy Art Show at the home of the blue mallee eucalyptus.
Sorensen says: ‘We’ve got history exhibitions in Pyramid Hill, woodworks in Dingee, life drawing in Bridgewater, bush-inspired prints and a workshop in the lonely little War Memorial School way out in Mysia, a Boortrait portrait show in Boort, quirky stuff in the proudly out-there Mitiamo, crafty arts in Wedderburn; and in Calivil, a photographic show that sums it all up – The Look of Loddon.
‘Plus heaps and heaps of paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, craftwork, woodwork, photographs and every clever, skilled and artistic creation under the sun.’
“We reckon Loddon is, in its own out-there way, an antidote to false living,’ Sorensen says. ‘Like the essential oil that was manufactured first in this blue mallee country, our Arts Trail aims to heal with a whiff of the bush, a bit of ingenuity, and pure artful goodness worth bottling.’
