WELCOME

From the wheatbelt to a Margaret River studio surrounded by peppermint and marri trees ~ Julie-Ann Brown has been building her art practice for twenty years.

She paints portraits and nature in contemporary realism ~ buttery oil paint, fine detail, the effects of light on a face or a landscape captured at exactly the right moment. Finalist in the Lester, Kilgour and Kennedy prizes, Julie-Ann has been practicing speed portraits ~ and she’s also running workshops if you’d like to try oil painting yourself.

We’re almost half way through Open Studios 2026, and with just 10 days left there’s still time to take an art crawl of your own. Pick up an event guide, browse all artist listings at our website, or simply look out for Open Studios signs as you drive around the region.

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

📸 @oviscreative

If Open Studios is all about discovering gems of artists at the end of gravel roads, why not travel a little further and see what you find south of Margaret River.

In reverse southerly order, here’s a taste of the rewards when you venture to Australia’s most south western corner...

📍 Augusta
🎨 Paula Higginson
🎨 Sarah Zel Chescoe @sarahzelchescoe

📍 Forest Grove
🎨 Jilly Riley @jilly.ofalltrades
🎨 John Bowskill @john_bowskill

📍Witchcliffe & Rosa Glen
🎨 Andrew Tremain @andrew_tremain_ceramics
🎨 Kate, Anthony and Tom Debbo @katedebbo @ant.debbo @tomothy_debbs
🎨 Caroline Bannister @carobannisterart
🎨 Wendy Castleden
🎨 Honor Denby @thebarnmr

Thirty years as an art educator and with a lifelong love of the beach, Trish Waters` studio is strolling distance from Dunsborough`s sandy shores and you`ll see it in her artwork.

Layered and luminous, her paintings depict the shifting light in a forest, vast coastal skies or indigo ocean depths. Paintings, silk scarves, baskets threaded with beads and beach finds ~ Trish works across many disciplines, inspired by the textures and colours of the shoreline.

Speaking of strolling, Trish is one of several Dunsborough artists within walking distance of town. Park the car and explore on foot ~ Trish, Eva Cassini, Toni Salmon, Kim Kiosses, Christian Fletcher, Dawid Brzezinski, Stephanie Stokes and Heidi Emma Mullender. And a little further afield ~ Ian Mutch, Heather Thomson and Libby-Jean Muhling.

🎨 @trishwatersart

Captivated by the flowing lines of Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement, Caroline Bannister hand builds in clay, often leaning into themes from the natural world, mythology, and science fiction.

"This year I have extended my study of sea creatures to include seahorses, nautiluses and amonites. I have enjoyed playing with the spiral and the idea of camoflague using a range of exciting glazes."

You`ll find Caroline`s home studio in Witchcliffe ~ and did you know that there are over a dozen artists around Witchcliffe, Forest Grove and Augusta? Take the quieter roads south and discover some new and exciting studios.

🎨 @carobannisterart

🎨 Margaret River Region Open Studios is free to attend, and runs until Sunday 27 September 2026
📖 Pick up an event guide or browse 152 artists at the website ~ mrropenstudios.com.au/meet-the-artists

The Art Party on Saturday night was a joyous celebration of art, music, fine wine and food.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us, and Wayfinder Winery & Farm for their generous hospitality in their beautiful new venue. Thank you Neesha Seth for emceeing the event.

Thanks also go to our presenting partner Private Properties for their generous support since Margaret River Region Open Studios began, and Shelter Brewing Co for sponsoring the beer.

The Incognito Art Auction was plenty of fun and a great success, with 25 superb artworks and competitive bidding. Additional prizes of jewellery from John Miller and 2-night stays at Forest Rise and Hilton Garden Inn Busselton were all exceptionally well received.

Thanks to the following artists who donated art and experiences for the auction and raffle, and Jacksons Drawing Supplies for the canvases.

Noa Williams
Sue Briggs
Lynne Boldaros
Lee-Anne Townrow
Heather Thomson
Delifina Monteverde
Shelley McNab
Marion Graeber
Natalie Briney
Silvia Busetto
Peter Noble
Jodie Thompson
Libby-Jean Muhling
Suzy French
Britta Wilson
Linda Moran
Francesco Geronazzo
Melanie Jarman
Dee Credaro
Caro Bannister
Karina Buckingham
Linda Cheok
Eleanor Davies
Jacquie Brown
John Miller

📸 Abby Murray Photography

"Clay is the one place where my brain settles into something that feels like flow... It’s also how I carve out space for myself within the full, noisy, beautiful chaos of motherhood."

Jilly Riley hand builds native animals and birds and much-loved pets ~ starting with speckled clay, painting on tinted slips and sgraffito "to carve out details that give each piece its own little spark".

Her studio is the `Craftanoon Caravan` at her Forest Grove property ~ previously home to a children`s craft workshop, now her own creative sanctuary. Usually a little chaotic. Always full of something in progress.

Come and see the whole process at Open Studios this spring.

🎨 Visit @jilly.ofalltrades and 152 other artists during Open Studios
🕰️ 12–27 September 2026