By Taylah Eastwell
Hills artists opened their doors last weekend as part of the annual Dandenong Ranges Open Studios program.
And after not being able to invite the public into their art studios last year, attendees exhibited an overwhelming appreciation for the arts, with their smiling faces and a keen interest making for a successful weekend overall.
Upwey textile artist Rebecca Wolske, who forms part of Eastern Makers and Creators, said the weekend was “so busy we couldn’t believe it”.
“It was absolutely wonderful, the sun was shining, the people came flowing, which was interesting after the year we have been through of not really getting to talk to people and then letting the floodgates open to talk about yourself for a weekend,” Ms Wolske said.
Ms Wolske uses her sewing machine to create art that brings dull wall spaces to life.
“I predominately use free motion stitching which means I move fabric around my machine rather than guiding a stitch to make realistic scenes of art,” she said.
“I started sewing classes when I was 30 and went through all those learning curves about how to make clothes and bags, discovering quilting, but then I got bored with seaming lines. I then discovered landscape quilting in 2011 and dived into that and have never looked back,” she said.
Ms Wolske said having people come back into the studio to admire and appreciate the work of Eastern Makers and Creators “filled up that tank of gratitude as a reminder that what you do is special and people appreciate it”.
Over 300 people made their way through the studios, while volunteers lined the driveway and gave directions at the front door.
While this was Eastern Makers and Creators third Open Studios weekend, the atmosphere this year was something else entirely.
“There was just an amazing feeling from the public. I think from last year, having everything taken in the industry, all artists felt this amazing gratitude from the public of how much they appreciate what we do and how much work we put in. I think attitudes have really shifted and it was a lovely feeling to feel that,” Ms Wolske said.
“People really got drawn in when you spoke about your work and they listened intently,” she said.
Most of the artists under the Eastern Makers and Creators name held sales, which were also a success, Ms Wolske said.
“When you’re locked away and creating, it’s in the back of your mind that you hope you might make some money back so that was really nice,” she said.
