Margaret River Region Open Studios

10-year milestone, 166 artists, 48 new studios + 2 Art Ambassadors! Margaret River Region Open Studios 2023 launches.

For 16 days, artists across the glorious Margaret River Region throw open their studio doors and invite in art-inquisitive visitors to have a peek into their creative worlds.

166 artists will participate in the 10th Margaret River Region Open Studios, winner of the 2022 WA Tourism Awards for Festivals and Events.

For the first time, Margaret River Region Open Studios will host two Art Ambassadors; renowned Queensland painter and sculptor Michael Zavros and Perth-based designer and champion of art and design Andrew Thornton Hick.

Zavros will make his first trip to Western Australia and attend the first week of the 16-day event. Zavros is a thought-provoking, award winning Australian artist. He works across a multitude of mediums Including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and film. He work is held in the collections of most major Australian galleries and his 25-year exhibition has just opened at Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art to much acclaim.

As well as visiting artists in their studios, Zavros will speak at an Artist Talk with Q & A Breakfast, hold a masterclass for Open Studios artists and attend the event’s major fundraiser, an Art Dinner at Aravina Estate.

Andrew Thornton Hick has been an avid supporter of Open Studios for many years, and this year comes on board to help document and promote the artists and activate new markets within Western Australia’s architecture and design space.

Hobbyist, emerging and professional artists will share their usually private worlds. Kilns will be firing, lathes turning, oil paints daubed on palettes, printing presses cranking, fabrics stretched, precious metals tempered, glass blown, and mosaics cut.

The 16-day event had record visitation in 2022 with more than 130,000 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.

Spring is the perfect time to visit the Margaret River Region. Road trip the quiet back roads to discover studios in homes, hobby farms, converted water tanks, beach shacks, industrial sheds, sea containers, shearing sheds, bush blocks, a ‘Sheila shack’ and more.

Living in the Margaret River Region remains the most significant influence on our artists work – our sweeping coast, ocean, forest, vineyards, wildlife and natural beauty.

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 Tourism Western Australia, Government of Western Australia, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, Rio Tinto, Private Properties, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, City of Busselton, Swings & Roundabouts and the West Australian with support from Art Partner Art Gallery of Western Australia.

Save the date for the 2023 event, and start planning your trip now!