Smaller communities across the region are gearing up for the fifth annual Tiny Towns Art Trail to be held next weekend.
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More than 20 galleries, studios and outdoor spaces will be part of the event in locations including Bridgewater, St Arnaud, Tarnagulla, Dunolly, Bealiba and Avoca.
Tiny Towns Arts Trail organising committee member Jude Nish said the arts trail offered something for everyone.
"People taking part in the arts trail will experience a range of amazing creative avenues that are being undertaken by artists across these tiny towns.
"The creativity ranges from painting, drawing, printmaking, craft, ceramics, mosaics, metalwork, music, weaving, jewellery and photography, right through to gardens, outdoor sculptures, cooking, local produce and products, and more.
"The trail is also continuing to pick up artists and we encourage people to check our social media pages as new artists continue to join the Tiny Towns Arts Trail."
This year's arts trail will also include the inaugural Tiny Towns Arts Trail Portrait Prize, which aims to celebrate the creativity and diversity of the arts and artists in the central Victorian tiny towns.
The Tiny Towns Arts Trail Portrait Prize will be shown at the Dunolly Historic Courthouse, with finalists selected from the submitted entries. The winner will then be selected by People's Choice with a cash prize awarded to the artist whose work receives the most votes.
Ms Nish said the trail provided an opportunity for local artists to promote themselves and their work, and to give these artists exposure.
"There's some fantastic artists hidden out there who want to exhibit and share what they're doing artistically. The arts trail is a way for these artists to do that and even sell some of their work," she said.
"It's also a great way to network and see what others are doing, and for people visiting the arts trail - a chance to enjoy the experience of the little towns and chat to the locals."
Bridgewater on Loddon will feature three locations during the arts trail - Mulwarrie Studio and Gardens, Arts of Olde and Secret Platypus.
At Tarnagulla, the Community Centre and Country Café, a studio at 87 Commercial Road and garden art space Octopus and Queen will all be featuring works.
All spaces are open throughout the arts trail weekend (Friday to Monday).
Ms Nish encouraged people looking to explore the arts trail to check participating artists' Facebook and Instagram sites, and websites, including if a site required bookings.
"Be aware and check out the fine print, and don't be afraid to contact artists. A lot of the artists' spaces are also open at other times - not just on the trail," she said.
"So there's also a good opportunity to make plans to revisit the trail in your own time, if you're unable to get to the areas during the weekend.
For those looking to spend a bit longer on the arts trail, accommodation options are available within or close to the towns on the trail.
Follow Tiny Towns Arts Trail on Facebook and Instagram for more information and a complete list of participating artists. Maps and a list of locations on the Tiny Towns Arts Trail are also available at information centres, cafés and all arts trail venues.
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