A CONTEMPORARY art group has started in Creswick.
The Unusual Suspects aims to give artists, writers and performers a forum to connect with other artists in the region.
Co-founder Steph Wallace said since the call for submissions went out the group had been contacted by many practitioners.
"Many of them feel their more edgy work has no public outlet, especially since the sad demise of Ballarat's Granary Lane," she said.
Contributing to the collective so far are 20 visual artists working in different mediums including wire sculptor Kate Fisher, pen and ink artist Cameron Ford and painter Philip Hedger.
The group's opening night, last Saturday, featured performances from Creswick musicians Brendan Skinner and Kate McMahon.