Home

Southern comfort for art lovers

Mogens JohansenThe West Australian
Photographer Martine Perret.
Camera IconPhotographer Martine Perret. Credit: Supplied

A record 140 artists will take part in the eighth Margaret River Region Open Studios from September 11 to 26 and, with the demand for accommodation in the South West, it’s worth thinking about planning and booking a trip now.

As well as popular art-forms such as painting, sculpting, illustration and photography, this year’s event will also feature a number of more unusual creators including a milliner, a hand-woven rug maker and two tattoo artists.

Margaret River Region Open Studios chairman Jim Davies says there is a lot of excitement and anticipation for this year’s event, following the success of their 2020 event.

“The scope of artists is hugely diverse so art lovers will be able to plan a stimulating and creative time in the Margaret River region to visit the fascinating homes and studios of their favourite artists and discover some new talent too,” Mr Davies says.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“Renowned favourites Leon Pericles, Rebecca Cool, Rachel Coad, Lauren Wilhelm, Christian Fletcher, Fi Wilkie, Gerry Reilly and Ian Mutch are returning, and we have more than 40 artists new to the event, which also makes it exciting for visitors who come back each year.”

Open Studios visitor surveys show that most people spend three to four days visiting a variety of studios in the region, so their advice is to plan ahead and book in your accommodation early.

The event website mrropenstudios.com.au will soon feature all of the 2021 Margaret River Region Open Studios artists and a detailed event guide will be available to collect at Visitor Centres, Jacksons Drawing Supplies and tourism venues in the region.

Glass artist Gerry Reilly.
Camera IconGlass artist Gerry Reilly. Credit: Tim Campbell/Supplied

Cascading Shelter: Shadows of the Forest by Tony Pankiw. Outside the Shire Offices, Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River. The shelter is inspired by the Augusta-Margaret River environment. The roofline of the structure has been designed to capture rainwater and feed it into the adjacent rain garden.

Eurybia by Russell Sheridan. On the southern side of Surfers Point Road just before the main car park. Eurybia sits as the mascot of the headland, representing mastery over the seas. She also personifies human vulnerability and exhibits the excitement/fear of the challenge out there in the sea.

Give and Take Mural by Ian Mutch and Kyle Hughes-Odgers. On the wall between IGA and the Margaret River Visitor Centre, a narrative based artwork portraying nature's life cycle and the gift of water.

Spiral Shelter by Kashmir Rouw. To the left as you down the main staircase between the beach and the car park.

The full trail, with all the artworks is at amrshire.wa.gov.au/region/public-art-trail

Search for and book accommodation at margaretriver.com or call Margaret River Visitor Centre on 9780 5911.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails