WELCOME

"I’ve been painting and making things since I was a wee little tot—sneaking in late-night colouring sessions under the covers and jumping from craft to craft—clay, knitting, beads... anything I could get my hands on."

As she got older, painting became a way for Tess Elleese Virgl to slow down, clear her busy mind, and express herself in ways that felt meaningful.

Meet @tesselleese.art ~ and 151 other artists ~ at Margaret River Region Open Studios, starting this Saturday.

⚡Australia`s biggest open studios event is free to attend
⚡ 152 artists are taking part
⚡ 13-28 September 2025
⚡ Find studios all across the Margaret River region, from Busselton and Dunsborough to Witchcliffe and Augusta

Jill Jardine`s paintings are full of energy and whimsy, and they’re generally inspired by her travels and joyful life experiences.

Open Heart Café, pictured here, captures the energy of the `post-covid` months, while other works celebrate memories made at Yallingup beach or travelling the globe.

It`s an extraordinary generosity to open one`s home, and we`re grateful for the 151 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 ❤️

🎨@jilljardine_art

❤️ @margaretriverregionopenstudios
🕰️ 13-28 September 2025
🎨 150 artists to visit and meet

Lisa Cloud arrived in Margaret River eight years ago to work vintage in a winery. It was meant to be a quick, three-month stay, but she fell in love with the beaches, forests and simple way of life, and now calls it home.

This year Lisa`s working with recycled gold, along with silver, sea glass, mollusc shells and precious stones to create wearable art. 

Lisa opens her private studio just once a year, for Open Studios. Visit 151 artists (including 29 new to the event) 13-28 September. 

🎨 @feralcloud
❤️ @margaretriverregionopenstudios
🕰️ 13-28 September 2025
🎨 151 artists to visit and meet

Helen Priest`s beachy paintings have us yearning for summer ~ "Living on the coast, I am constantly buoyed by the colours and movement of the ocean."

It`s Helen`s first time taking part in Open Studios, and she looks forward to welcoming you into her home gallery, studio out the back and her garden (which includes a quirky collection of marine debris ephemera created by her partner Jeff). 

Helen`s one of the 29 artists new to the event ~ please make her welcome!

🎨 @priest_helen

🕰️ 13-28 September 2025
📍 The Margaret River Region
🎨 152 artists to visit and meet

Be rewarded for taking the quiet roads south, as there`s a wealth of talent to discover with our southernmost artists.

Pictured here, realist painter Sam James is painting away on his olive grove, with goats and chooks for company.
🎨 @samjamescreates
📍Forest Grove

Jewellery designer Sarah Zel Chescoe joins Open Studios for the first time this year, so please visit her Augusta studio to make her welcome! Her cube-like rings look incredible.
🎨 @sarahzelchescoe
📍Augusta

Caroline Bannister loves making weird and wonderful creations from clay, inspired by the natural world. She`s opening her home studio this year, complete with fabulous garden sculptures.
🎨 @carobannisterart
📍Witchcliffe Eco Village