The quaint town near Beechworth gives artist Sari Cecilia the inspiration in its “wind, trees and small creatures”.

Cecilia, a East Brunswick regular, said she had lost her spark in the “concrete jungle”.

So she moved to Wod- onga but found even that too suburban. That’s when she packed her bags for Stanley.

Cecilia is one of two new entrants in the annual Stanley art show, Beyond the Bends.

“Coming to Stanley was a good idea for me because it is such a community of artists,” she said.

“There are people in the town who are pro-active and want to organise these shows for us.”

To qualify for the art show, you must be living at Stanley.

“It’s not a separate group but a celebration of who we are and where we live,” Cecilia said.

Beyond the Bends organising committee member Janet Sutherland said this year’s show had received 15 works — sculptures, jewellery, photography, drawings, paintings and mixed media.

“It’s more than a hobby for us,” she said.

Ms Sutherland said people had started to anticipate the event because of its success.

The show will be held in Stanley’s memorial hall 10am to 4pm daily from January 18 to 26.