The quirkiest and most eclectic spaces at Margaret River Region Open Studios

From crocodile skulls to painted violins, there’s not much that you won’t discover in Leon Pericles’ massive Margaret River-based studio. A living legend of the region and master printmaker, painter and sculptor, Leon has one of the most unforgettable stops on the open studios trail. His studio sits at the end of a long bush track, surrounded by a fantastical sculpture garden made from upcycled and found treasures. Wander through his custom-built printing room and collage studio, admire his vibrant paintings and soak up 55 years of work in his awe-inspiring, immersive space. Don’t forget to grab a cuppa and a chat — Leon is as generous as his creative output.

Step into Rebecca Cool’s bold studio in Cowaramup and you’ll instantly break into a smile. Her space is a colourful labyrinth of acrylics, layered textures and intuitive patterns, allowing joyful themes and spontaneous colourplay to come to life. Her work reflects a love of imagination, and her home is a vibrant playground, complete with dozens of dancing mobiles and life-sized mermaids swimming around the exterior walls of the house.

Largely inspired by flowers, plants, and Mexican culture – including The Day of the Dead – Vanessa Miller turns everyday objects into art by embellishing vases, pots, and kitchenware with vibrant designs. Inside, her Cowaramup studio sets the scene for her art with plenty of music, incense, candles and cosy hospitality. Outside, a giant water tank mural emphasises these key themes of her art. The upcycled nature of her work alongside the strong symbolism gives her workshop a transformative, almost ritualistic feel — definitely one for the curious soul.

Chloe Wilder is a woman who wears many hats – growing grapes, raising children, throwing pots, and painting canvases – but she describes herself simply as “a collection of silly little cells presenting as a girl with cool pants.” Known for her bright, modernist, realism paintings, Chloe’s warm space radiates colour and individualism as lively as her personality. Join her for the first time at her home studio, set to the backdrop of an agricultural landscape deep in Margaret River. You might even spot her partner, Alex, tending the vines for Dirt Temple Wines, yet another project she designs all the artwork for.

Adam Ashdown woke up four years ago and decided he was going to reel in a fish and print it. Originally a carpenter by trade, Adam’s days now centre around exploring the art of gyotaku – the traditional craft of fish printing. One look into his Dunsborough studio and it’s obvious it’s all about the fish, with detailed prints of various sizes covering the room. Adam works with a variety of iconic Australian fish species, and there are plenty of opportunities to catch him in action over the 10 days of open studios. Grab your fishing tragic friends and head to his space for a truly unique glimpse into a rare and intricate art form.

Venture down the end of Old Ellensbrook Road in Cowaramup and you’ll find a sea container studio where a mix of grit, story, curiosity and a healthy sprinkling of humour combine in Kerry Sibly’s work. Situated on his stunning rural property, Kerry’s art flows over into his backyard, where a walk around his garden reveals industrial designs, upcycled mechanical forms, metalworks and beauty in aged textures. Kerry embodies the ethos of ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, giving scraps of metal a second life as innovative and beautiful artworks.

A former tree logger from Scotland, Martin Pavey’s origin story helped shape his designs today. After relocating to Margaret River 28 years ago, he began working with West Australian native timbers and honed his skillset, resulting in the exquisitely designed and hand-carved timber sculptures and bowls you can see throughout open studios. Take a trip to his Margaret River workshop, built inside a converted water tank, to smell the freshly turned wood, hear the buzz of his tools and watch him in action, as he creates incredibly delicately decorated pieces from raw timber.

The only tattoo artist on the open studios line-up, Karl Heussenstamm is excited to bring something new to the fold. Step into his space, located on the main drag in Cowaramup, and witness art that resonates on both skin and canvas. If you’ve never been to a tattoo studio before, now is your chance, as Karl encourages everyone to check out his array of work, have a conversation, and learn more about the art of tattooing. Who knows, maybe you’ll walk out with some fresh new ink as a memento of your time at Margaret River Region Open Studios?

The easiest way to explore Margaret River Region Open Studios is to download the Event Guide and be guided by the handy maps – alternatively, you can blaze your own trail to follow a particular art form or pick an area to explore. There are plenty of artists situated around Busselton, Vasse, Dunsborough, Yallingup, Cowaramup, Margaret River, Witchcliffe and everywhere in between. We recommend allowing plenty of time to uncover these creative spaces and pick up some new art or artistic inspiration along the way.