The Margaret River Region Open Studios is the largest open art studios event in Australia.
It features more than 130 artists, from Busselton to Augusta, and these artists will open their studios to visitors for a "
behind-the-scenes experience". This will make it the largest event in its five-year history.
Margaret River Region Open Studios shares a whole wealth of artistic talent from this delightful Margaret River region. Due to this, the public will have the chance to visit studios and artist's homes and have the opportunity to meet the people behind the amazing art, as well as get a look into their
"creative lives and inspirational spaces".
There will be heaps of categories at this event and these include:
The local artists are the highlight of the show and some of the talent this year includes:
Renowned landscape artist, Douglas Kirsop
Returning artist Rachel Coad, from Gracetwon
Well known Leon Pericles from Burnside
Rebecca Cool from Margaret River
Mary Lynne Stratton from Yallingup
Another of the artists is Fi Wilkie, who is a bubbly artist and adventurer behind Fi Wilkie Art and Margaret River Art Adventures. Fi also teaches and her studio is fascinating. It is an old barn converted into a bright new space filled with Fi's paintings and collages and all just a few minutes south of Margaret River. Fi is situated close to Yahava KoffeeWorks and Temper Temper Chocolate which could be a distinct advantage if you love your coffee and chocolates while on the art trail.
You can read all about the artists, see samples of their work and learn more at this
link. There is also a link to view each artist in the suburbs they reside, which will be helpful when planning your day (see below).
Each artist's studio, workshop or exhibition space is mapped, allowing visitors to easily plan their inspirational days over the 16-day event. The event covers the entire Margaret River Region of Western Australia from Busselton in the north, right down to Augusta in the south.
The Margaret River Region Open Studios is FREE to attend and no bookings are needed – it must be the most accessible event in the south-west!
Why not spend a weekend in the region, or if you are retired, spend a week in this glorious area which we West Australians are so lucky to have. You could taste the best in foods, sample many glorious wines, and take in many of the artists' studios at the same time.
About Margaret River Open StudiosMargaret River Region Open Studios is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation, which is run by a board of volunteers and contracted staff. They aim is to promote a diverse range of arts for their members, all of whom are artists working within the region.
They produce and promote the annual Open Art Studios event to showcase the increasingly diverse and fantastic visual arts throughout the Margaret River Region. This event has now become the biggest of its kind in Australia, and this year, it will be the fifth time the event has been held over 16 days.
How to "DO" this Event
Firstly you decide which artist's work you want to see - then look through the
website under "meet the artists". Identify which artists you like the look of and if you then mark these studios, you can check them out on the map to plan your journey.
To plan your trip - as there is a large area involved in this event, planning ahead is essential. Best to use Google Maps or similar to locate your chosen studios or for those locations that are harder to find, you can call the artist. An ideal number of visits in a day is often 5-7 studios and this would allow you ample time to talk to the artists, drive and possibly picnic or dine in one of the fabulous places around the area.
Some of the locations are open during later time slots, so make sure you know their opening times. Then lay out a route that you will follow and "bingo", you will have an enjoyable day!
Organisers have requested that you supervise your children and keep them with you while you visit the various studios.
You can pick up a copy of the map at your local Jackson's Drawing Supplies shop in Perth or the south-west or visit the
event site for additional locations and/or information.