Creativity is officially unleashed! Discover artistic riches in the Margaret River Region this September

Margaret River Region Open Studios has officially launched so it’s now time to start planning your artistic adventure for this September (7 to 22 September 2024).

Artists of all creative persuasions are getting ready for an explosion of enthusiastic art lovers, the whopper 56-page Event Guide is now available in hard copy and on our website, and artist workshops are open for bookings.

During the 16 days of this award-winning event, the largest of its kind in Australia, artists throw open their studio doors and invite the public in for a ‘fly on the wall’ experience of an artist in the throes of creativity.

For the event’s artists, Open Studios is much more than a two-week affair. Deputy Chair and potter Jacquie Happ explained the process.

“As our artists’ practice and confidence grows, so does their desire to make each year’s Margaret River Region Open Studios an enriched experience for their visitors.

“MRROS is blessed to have a loyal following of art lovers,” she said. “In fact, last year more than 70% of our visitors were returning to the event.

“They will often revisit the studios of their favourite artists as well as seeking out new talent.

“Open Studios allows artists to grow their following and emboldens them to create fresh bodies of work each year, and perhaps try out new techniques to get instant feedback from visiting art lovers.”

Some artists will be opening new purpose-built art studios for this year’s event, including Lesley Meaney, Ian Daniell, Sarah Malone, Honor Denby, Emma Lees, Lee-Anne Townrow, Julie-Ann Brown, Robbie Palmer, Patrick Bloomer, Paul Gatopulosz, Karl Heussenstamm and Brian Borshoff. One is a converted concrete water tank, and another has repurposed an old Westrail train carriage!

Printed Event Guides are now available from Jacksons Drawing Supplies stores and will be available in regional Visitor Centres closer to the event. The Guide is also online at mrropenstudios.com.au

Book your accommodation now to avoid disappointment – visit privateproperties.com.au or margaretriver.com for inspiration.

Margaret River Region Open Studios is made possible thanks to presenting partner Private Properties, Department of Local Government ,Sport and Creative Industries , Tourism Western Australia, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, Rio Tinto, Swings & Roundabouts, City of Busselton and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

Fast facts:

• 144 artists from Busselton to Augusta
• Free to attend
• 16 days – 7 to 22 September 2024
• Visit painters, potters, printmakers, photographers, mosaicists, mixed media artists, metalwork and timber craftspeople, textile creators, illustrators, installation artists, sculptors, glassmakers, jewellers, textile makers, upcyclers, ceramicists, and furniture makers.
• Australia’s largest Open Studios event
• 30 new artists
• 4 Aboriginal artists – India Armstrong, Melanie Hume, Jo Bear and Kim Klosses (more than ever before)
• Renown artists include Leon Pericles, Rebecca Cool, Christian Fletcher, John Miller, Lesley Meaney and Lauren Wilhelm
• In 2023 the event attracted approximately 15,000 visitors who made 145,000 studio visits!
• Artists can sell their work as part of the studio visit experience.