The 2025 Southern Art + Craft Trail (SACT) showcased over 400 artist’s works in 63 venues across the Greater Southern region during the September/October school holidays (27 September to 12 October). In addition, 17 schools participated that included displays from approximately 400 students. This year the geographical coverage encompassed the Shires of Manjimup, Denmark, Cranbrook, Newdegate, Katanning, Lake Grace, Plantagenet, Kojonup, Jerramungup and the City of Albany.
This annual arts event is the largest in the region, spanning 46,000ha and has been running for 22 years. Galleries, museums, wineries, cafes, shops, town halls and unused public spaces have become venues offering both a unique cultural experience and economic spin off for local businesses.
The official opening was held at the Albany Town Hall on Tuesday 23rd September. An invitation only event, attendees included Hon Samantha Rowe MLA, Mr Scott Leary MLA, Councillor Amanda Cruse, City of Albany Executive Director Nathan Watson, RDA Great Southern Director Simon Lyas and Uncle Lester Coyne, who provided the Welcome to Country. ArtSouthWA was represented by Chairperson Seirah Woodward and a full complement of ArtSouthWA Board members plus over 80 ArtSouthWA members and artists. A speech was also delivered by Carol Ann O’Connor, winner of the 2024 Best Exhibitor Prize. Carol outlined the passion behind her cover artwork and the ongoing commitment to support protection of the Gilberts Potteroo.
According to recorded data, over 10,000 people visited the SACT exhibitions, workshops and events. This does not include the passer-by traffic at public venues and businesses who may not have been recorded by Exhibition venues. This is down on the previous two years but is consistent with tourism trends for WA currently and attributed to cost-of-living pressures, a slower-than-expected interstate travel recovery, and a post-COVID trend of international travel. 54% of visitation came from outside the Albany area with many staying for a week in the region in paid accommodation and having meals out in local restaurants. It is noted that people appeared to spend less on accommodation compared to previous years. This is a mixture of shorter stays and staying in cheaper accommodation. Air BNB stays were recorded in surveys.
Over 16 days, a diverse and exciting range of art exhibitions were on offer including open studios, hands-on workshops demonstrations, artist’s talks and public art displays in communities including:
- Mt Barker
- Manjimup
- Porongurup
- Denmark
- Pemberton
- Kronkup
- Nornalup
- Bow Bridge
- Kojonup
- Albany
- Bremer Bay
Works included painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, antique assemblages, printmaking, woodwork, jewellery, photography, resin and glass art. Visitors were able to view artwork in studios and meet with the artist.
The 17 schools, including home schoolers and after-school networks, from across the region who participated with art displays of students works, collaborated with retail businesses, cafes and public places.
Inclusivity has been one priority for ArtSouthWA in recent years and collaborations with the Community Living Association resulted in a fabulous exhibit with over 10 clients participating in their exhibition. There were two indigenous exhibitions this year. Gorenang Moortibiin exhibited at their principal premises in Centennial Park, Albany and father daughter duo Sam and Kamryn Shappard exhibited at West Cape Howe Wines in Mt Barker.
20,000 printed copies of the program that included exhibitions, workshops, maps and acknowledgements were distributed across the region from the west coast from Perth downwards. This Art Trail booklet was also available online and was the largest and most popular acknowledged source of information for Art Trail visitors.
FULL REPORT IS AVAILABLE HERE
