Last week I mentioned going to Mansfield for the MOST (Mansfield Open Studio Trail) event, but didn't have space to elaborate because I waxed lyrical about my fly fishing lesson.
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MOST is all about encouraging creativity and promoting artists who live and work in the Mansfield area.
This was the eighth year that artists of several mediums have opened their studios.
It is held on the Melbourne Cup weekend when many people are anticipated to be in Mansfield for the cup day races.
This year the races were cancelled but not MOST.
We were blown away by the talent and spent accordingly.Twelve artists exhibited their works, which ranged from paintings, sculpture, ceramics, silk textiles, quilting and printing, to photographic transfers.
Author Belinda Crawford participated with textile printer Sally Harvey.
She has written several books, Cold Between Stars and Dark Between Oceans are possibly her best known.
We stopped at the Mansfield Regional Produce Store and picked up our pre-ordered "lunch in a box" and had a picnic beside the Delatite River near Merrijig.
Lunch and the setting were lovely.
It was fun following the trail because it took us all over the place.
Several artists exhibited together at the Wild Mint Acres Nursery in Merrijig, well worth going to anyway, while furthest in the opposite direction was Tony Pridham's new studio in Goughs Bay.
Among our favourite stops was seeing Jana Brook's paintings and Ron Ahl's sculptures right on the edge of town.
They work in the picture-perfect setting of an original Mansfield cottage behind a fabulous stone fence, which is not old, but compliments the cottage perfectly.
Day Trips: One thing leads to another
Two of our purchases were a sculpture by Ron and small watercolour painting by Jana.
We also bought a couple of ceramic pieces from Clarissa whose parents own She's Arty in Benalla.
We wondered if she inspired the name?
Mansfield does other arty things during the year like having a large Easter Exhibition and Sale which, from memory, is a fundraiser for Mansfield Hospital.
As COVID-19 interfered with many plans this year, it is probably best to refer to Arts Mansfield for next year's plans.
But... put MOST in the diary because it will definitely be on again.
I think I have said enough about Mansfield for a while.
COVID-19 has given many resourceful businesses time to execute renovations and extensions and many eating venues have used small marquees to enable them to fulfill outside seating requirements.
Check what your favourite is doing.
Next time we go to Mansfield, we will drive to Mount Buller and walk to the summit lookout.
Speaking of diary dates, also include the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, which has previously operated in the week prior to the Melbourne Cup.
This festival has promoted and encouraged jazz since 1990 and hosted the National Jazz Awards.
Day Trips: Myrtleford via Milawa
Music is played day and night in numerous venues around Wangaratta including in the park, restaurants and theatre.
For a range of reasons the festival is redefining itself and was unable to have its planned 30th anniversary celebration this year.
Great jazz and blues were played on the Community radio (101.3FM) instead.
If you love good music, look out for what is announced next year.
Jazz and Blues one day, artistic pursuits the next.
What more could you ask for in day trips close to home?
- Suzie Pearce
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