This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Southern Art and Craft Trail, running from Saturday 23 September to Sunday 8 October. Artists, art groups, galleries and venues across the southern region of WA have taken the opportunity to be part of this milestone year.
This annual event presented by ArtSouthWA is considered to be the leading annual arts event for artists in the region, providing an opportunity for artists to promote their work in a wide range of venues, and attracts tourists and locals alike, to explore, experience and purchase local artworks.
The event has made a strong recovery from the effects of COVID featuring over 70 entries in 2023. Exhibitions will showcase the very best of visual arts and crafts including Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Print Making, Glasswork, Textiles, Jewellery and much more. Cafes, wineries, galleries, local businesses, community halls, libraries, art centres, home studios and pop-up spaces will come alive across the region stretching from Manjimup, Walpole and Denmark to Albany, Mt Barker, Kojonup, and many other places in between.
“The 2022 Southern Art and Craft Trail had record attendance to exhibitions, injected around $290,000 into the pockets of our local artists, and contributed over 5 million dollars into our regional economy”, said ArtSouthWA Chair, Merry Robertson.
This year the Art Trail features multiple school student mini exhibitions in local outlets, community participation art workshops and some wonderful experiences in the iconic Albany Town Hall.
“What sets our Art Trail apart from others is not only the geographic coverage area but the very inclusive nature of the event that enables such a broad range of our artistic community to take part”, commented Ms. Robertson. “We are looking forward to another rewarding and well attended event in 2023.”
The Southern Art and Craft Trail is presented by ArtSouthWA and sponsored by City of Albany, Tourism Western Australia, Regional Arts WA, RDA Great Southern, and numerous local government and professional organisations.
