The Margaret River Region Open Studios if a free event offering art lovers the rare chance to visit private art studios, meet artists and view their works in progress. This annual event to showcases the increasingly diverse and vibrant arts scene throughout the region and is Australia’s largest open studio event.
Australia’s largest open studios event returns this September, and more than 140 incredible artists will feature – from painters to potters and printmakers, milliners to mosaicists, timber craftspeople to textile creators and illustrators to installation artists.
Spanning from Busselton to Augusta, artists will throw open their studio doors for 16 days, welcoming in art appreciators from far and wide to sneak a peek into their usually private creative spaces.
Of the 144 talented artists now busily creating for September, 31 will be taking the leap for the first time, and 12 artists have never missed a year, participating in all 11 events.
Their studios are spread across hay sheds and cow barns, inside their homes (and sometimes spread throughout!), in purpose-built idylls, converted water tanks, sea containers and renovated train carriages. Artists who already have galleries and showrooms take it a further step and invite visitors into their private workshops and back rooms where the creativity usually takes place behind closed doors.
This year, the event will be bolstered by increased support from long-time event partner, Private Properties.
Margaret River Region Open Studios presents a rare experience to get inside an artist’s mind through their art and creative spaces – to talk to them in person about their inspiration, process and style, and see where the artistic magic happens.
In 2023 the event attracted approximately 15,000 visitors who made 145,000 studio visits so anticipation is high for this year’s event.
Create your own artistic adventure following a trail of your favourite artists, art styles, or locations or just go rogue and follow the roadside Open Studios signs and discover new talent.
Pick up a guide closer to the event from your nearest Jackson’s Drawing Supplies or Visitor Centre, or view online, and visit www.mrropenstudios.com.au for more information, trail planning and inspiration.
Studios typically open from 10am to 4pm daily, but please check the website or event guide for details.
Margaret River Region Open Studios is made possible thanks to Private Properties, Tourism Western Australia, Government of Western Australia, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, Rio Tinto, Swings & Roundabouts, City of Busselton and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.
