Balaklava is a shining example of a town which has made the most of its assets.

The annual Eisteddfod grows in popularity annually, and the town just opens its arms a little bit more to accommodate the influx.

Community halls, both large and small, are pressed into service, while the lack of local accommodation hasn’t held plans back.

In the Clare Valley region 33 venues in 20 towns have declared themselves involved in this year’s South Australian Living Artists festival - a co-ordinated effort never before seen in the district.

Even the smallest towns such as Penwortham, Sevenhill and Terowie have something to offer the public in this two week festival of the arts. The Clare Valley is heavily and wonderfully endowed with talented artists, despite not having a dedicated regional art gallery in Clare itself.

Something which might eventually be addressed, but meanwhile there are still plenty of venues around the town which could be used for temporary exhibition space.

But sadly, for SALA there are no art activities in Clare, no decorations or festive appearance are planned for the town.

Although billing itself as a regional centre, Clare is lacking in enthusiasm and drive when it comes to promoting festivals and events.

One year, for an arts festival the much smaller town of Kapunda gathered up a band of enthusiastic residents who created lifesize papier mache animals and people which were positioned all through the town. It was stunning.

Mintaro has created a landscape of floating umbrellas along its main street, and Burra has been making banners and wind socks for a street parade.

There’s so much happening regionally for the arts festival – all of which is well worth experiencing, but don’t bother to drive into Clare itself, because there’s nothing going on, except on the periphery.