Art to entice visitors to Margaret River

Wine and food are far from being the only reasons to visit Margaret River in Western Australia.

There are also fabulous surf beaches, tremendous natural beauty- and a thriving arts scene.

A record number of artists have signed up for this year's Margaret River Region Open Studios, an annual event that will run from September 1-25.

From Anniebrook to Witchcliffe, and Boallia to Eagle Bay, the Margaret River region will be a sea of Open Studios signs welcoming art lovers to the artists' usually private world of paint, canvas, kilns, fabric, fire, timber, charcoal, chainsaws, pencils, found objects, welding tools, looms, printing presses, clay, metal and millinery.

Chair Jim Davies said the response from artists to this year's Margaret River Region Open Studios event was a wonderful outcome.

“We've been bowled over by the number of artist registrations this year,” he said. “We thought there might be some uncertainty due to Covid, but I suspect the desire to share beauty and creation is more important than ever before to our artists and community.

“Our event has grown year-on-year and the word-of-mouth spreads through the artistic community.

“An astonishing 43 artists will make their Open Studios debut in September, which is another record broken, and 16 artists will have participated in all nine events, providing a rich and diverse offering for our visitors.” 

The 16-day event will showcase art in all its forms.

Visitors will find artists in family homes, old timber mill cottages, hobby and dairy farms, straw bale homes, a converted water tank, cottages, hay sheds, converted school bus, brewery, beach shack, industrial sheds, sea containers, shearing sheds, bush blocks, a 'Sheila shack' and more.

How very artistic: wine region trail sets new records

A record 140 artists from Busselton to Witchcliffe south of Margaret River will participate in the eighth Margaret River Region Open Studios from September 11-26.

As well as popular art forms such as painting, ceramics, sculpting, illustration, photography, jewellery and glass, this year's Open Studios will also feature a number of more unusual creators including a milliner, hand-woven rug maker, two tattoo artists and a handcrafted book maker.

Margaret River Region Open Studios Chairman Jim Davies said there was much anticipation for this year's event following the success of the 2020 event.

“We thought all the records were smashed last year – visits to studios up 50%, largest-ever art sales and over $7 million in economic benefit generated, but we've already broken one record this year before the event has started: attracting our highest number of artists to Open Studios since we started eight years ago.

 “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.

“Renowned favourites Leon Pericles (above), Rebecca Cool, Rachel Coad, Lauren Wilhelm, Christian Fletcher, Fi Wilkie, Gerry Reilly (extreme top) 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.

“We know from our visitor surveys that most people spend three to four days visiting a variety of studios from in Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup, Cowaramup, Margaret River and everywhere in between, so my advice is to book in your accommodation early. The event covers 16 days so there's plenty of opportunity to enjoy region's art and springtime beauty.”

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

A brilliant chance to combine some wine tastings with art stops.

# Margaret River Region Open Studios is supported by the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural industries, Tourism Western Australia, City of Busselton, Shire of Margaret River, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, Private Properties, Hemsley Patterson and arts partner Art Gallery of WA.