Celebrating 20 years of showcasing the region’s artistic side, the Queanbeyan Arts Trail is finding creative new ways to appreciate art – with wineries and motorcycle meet-ups added to the map this year.

The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) Arts Trail will take place over three weekends in October across Braidwood, Captains Flat, Bungendore and Queanbeyan.

Over 40 venues and activations will participate in an itinerary as broad as the creative disciplines on display.

Finding new ways for tourists and locals alike to experience the region is part of the event’s “all-encompassing” nature, according to Janita Byrne, QPRC Team Leader for Arts and Heritage.

“It’s primarily about promoting our creative industries – because they cover quite a spectrum, from individual practising artists, to groups of artists like the Queanbeyan Art Society, to our incredible state heritage-listed gallery facility, Rusten House Art Centre – and how they draw together artists across the region to not only celebrate their creative output, but to also help generate income for them.

“And the sideline to all of that is that people who come to visit and experience the arts also buy lunches, sometimes stay over and pay for accommodation, and experience other businesses and venues within our region like our historic pubs, or simply walk around and enjoy the ambience of our historic towns.

“The idea is not only to generate tourism visitation, but for our locals to celebrate the amazing things that they do.”

Starting in Braidwood on 3 and 4 October, several local artists will open their home studios to visitors. A collective of around 20 artists will exhibit at the Braidwood Regional Arts Group Gallery with an array of works on paper on sale for under $150.

After securing a beautiful bargain, visitors can take in a music performance at the historic Braidwood District Historical Society Museum ‘Oddfellows’ Hall’ or meet artist-in-residence Jo Parsons over a cheeky gin at Hold Fast Distillery at Trooper’s Rest.

As part of the launch event, artist Ray Monde will showcase his large-scale immersive collaged panels examining queer lived experiences in regional Australia. Photo: Supplied.

Bunker Studio Artists will be one of many artists at their easels for the weekend, sharing their process and inspirations, with artworks available for purchase. Photo: Supplied

The inaugural ‘Sculpture at the Cellar Door’ joins the trail this year, bringing sculpture into the vineyards of the local wineries. Photo: Supplied.

Captains Flat creatives will bookend the trail with unique activations at the start and finish.

On 3 October, Captains Flat Hotel will see the first Blessing of the Bikes event, including a motorcycle “show and shine”, market stalls and food vendors, while on 17 October, the town’s newest retailer, Mama Tierra Collectiva, closes the event with an exhibition from local artisans and food producers.

Bungendore picks up the trail on 10 and 11 October with its broad spectrum of arts and crafts on display.

The Malbon retail collective runs the gamut of artistic expression, from floristry to knitwear and includes the boutique gallery of award-winning photographer Jerusha McDowell.

Around the corner, The Bungendore Bower is a unique creative reuse centre, which keeps creative supplies out of landfill and in the hands of local artists, makers, students and community groups.

If you take your culture with a nice drop, the inaugural Sculpture at the Cellar Door hosted by Lark Hill Winery and Aranya Acres is for you.

“I’m so excited that this year we have managed to get sculptures into the vineyards for our Arts Trail,” said Ms Byrne.

“One of the things that is difficult to exhibit is large outdoor sculptures, because of security issues.

“Pairing them with our local wineries allows us to celebrate those beautiful creative pieces in venues that are keen to have some sort of creative activation as well.

“It is a fabulous pairing for our regional agribusiness and creatives.”

Celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary, the trail will culminate in a citywide “birthday party” on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.

Over 20 galleries, pop-ups, performances and artist studios will open their doors for art appreciation, including a tasting of Lerida Wines at the Queanbeyan Arts Society, the opening of four new exhibitions at Rusten House Art Centre, and a celebration of art and architecture at The Hive.

The Arts Trail will officially launch at The Q Exhibition Space in Queanbeyan on Tuesday, 29 September, at 5:30 pm, with the opening of two new exhibitions in the civic precinct galleries.

To learn more, visit Arts Trail.