WELCOME

Sam James, Laura Griffith, Angus Watkins and Mel Lamanna are the ‘North South East West’ crew ~ a friendship formed over a shared love of painting, printmaking and portraiture, spread geographically across the Margaret River region.

While Angus and Mel take a break from Open Studios this year, Sam and Laura are sharing Laura’s Cowaramup studio. Come and chat, see them paint and admire their latest works.

❤️Make sure your springtime adventure in art makes it out of the group chat and into your diary. Book accommodation through one of our generous sponsors, and mark your calendar: Open Studios is on 12-27 September 2026. ❤️

🎨 @samjamescreates
🎨 @laura_griffith_artist

Mary-Lynne Stratton relishes her winter camping and painting trips through remote Australia ~ the Pilbara, Kimberley, central and South Australia. She goes back to the same places again and again, and each time the spirit of the country embeds itself a little deeper.

She works fast out in the field ~ gouache sketches done on the spot, hand and eye responding before the mind can overthink it. Back in her Yallingup studio, layers of oil paint find their own direction. Shapes emerge and shift.

Lately Mary-Lynne’s palette has been moving from the warm reds, pinks and oranges of the outback toward the greens, blues and aquas of the coast. See both worlds in these works ~ and at Open Studios this spring.

🎨 @mlstrattonart

It’s an extraordinary generosity to open one’s home, and we’re grateful for the 153 artists opening their usually-private spaces for Open Studios. Please enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists, find out about their practice and perhaps even buy something special to take home ❤️

🕰️ 12-27 September 2026
📍 The Margaret River Region
🎨 153 artists to visit and meet

Working across painting, ceramics, printmaking and sculpture from her home on Osmington Road, Chloe makes work that`s joyful, a bit odd, and entirely her own. Every day of Open Studios, the studio shed doors are open ~ the kettle`s on, the pottery wheel may be spinning, and a high chance of chit chat about vineyard picnics and checked tablecloths immortalised in paint.

Just come and see ~ Chloe is one of 154 artists taking part in Open Studios next month

🕰️ @margaretriverregionopenstudios runs 12–27 September 2026
📍 154 artists and studios across the Margaret River region
🎨 @chloewilderart

"Painting is my first love" says Philippa Kelly, who will make her Open Studios debut next month.

After two decades away, she returns, working in oils and graphite across portraiture, landscape and still life, chasing moments of magic, human connection, and curiosity over perfection.

She admits that opening her studio takes courage.
"I chose to open my studio at this unfinished stage of my journey because of my daughters. I wanted them to see me doing the thing that scared me — to show them that creativity does not require perfection or permission, only courage and a willingness to begin. If you have quietly set your own creativity aside, this is my invitation to you. Start small. Be gentle with yourself. Start again."

Philippa will be at The Farm Margaret River alongside three other artists - Sarana Haeta @saranahaeata, Joelene Hewison @river.ceramics and Martine Perret @martineperret.

🎨 @philippa_kelly_
🎨 Margaret River Region Open Studios is free to attend, and runs 12-27 September 2026
📖 Pick up an event guide or browse 154 artists at the website.

Marion Graeber describes her latest work as a love letter ~ to everyone who has packed up their life, crossed a border, and slowly, imperfectly discovered new versions of themselves on the other side.

"Through these paintings, I celebrate the courage it takes to begin again."

Her paintings are bold, surreal and full of warmth. Meet Marion, admire her vibrant paintings and bush studio, and learn more about the journey, resilience and new beginnings that inspire her creativity.

🎨 Marion Graeber @mg_art_wa
❤️ @margaretriverregionopenstudios
🕰️ 12-27 September 2026
🎨 154 artists to visit and meet

Make sure your springtime adventure in art makes it out of the group chat and into your diary. Book accommodation through one of our generous sponsors, and mark your calendar: Open Studios is on 12-27 September 2026 ❤️

Nathan Day`s interest in furniture was sparked during his high school woodwork classes. An apprenticeship with a renowned Yallingup furniture maker followed. Then ~ as the first Australian ever accepted ~ training at the Edward Barnsley Workshop in England, one of the world`s most respected schools of craft.

Twenty-five years later, Nathan Day is recognised as one of Australia`s finest furniture designer-makers, with pieces in the collections of Louis Vuitton and Apple and a purpose-built workshop in Vasse where his small, skilled team pushes the limits of what timber can do.

This spring, Nathan opens his new gallery. Rare local timbers, exceptional joinery, furniture made to last generations.

🎨 Visit Nathan @nathan_day_design during @margaretriverregionopenstudios
🕰️ 12–27 September 2026
📍 154 artists to visit ~ pick up a free event guide to plan your trip