IT’S BACK! THE 2026 Easter Arts Festival 3 April – 19 April 
The Easter Arts Festival returns for its 2nd year with 25 venues and lists over 20 events and workshops for all ages to entertain you through the holidays. Get ready to immerse yourself in colour, creativity and community.
Proudly presented by ArtSouthWA, this year’s Easter Arts Festival Mini- Art Trail is focussed on Albany, Mt Barker, Porongurup and Nornalup venues.
You can download a copy of the Easter Arts Festival Booklet HERE
WHO IS ON THE MINI-ART TRAIL THIS YEAR?
RETURNING FOR 2026
Cynthia Orr is back in the stunning Millbrook House showcasing her bold new works and also featuring her White Series plus those fabulous scarves. Nearby you can visit Brown and the Beards at Handasydes Café where you can coffee up for the rest of the day whilst browsing landscapes in oils, abstracts and a bit of whimsical fluffery. An artist will be painting every day of the exhibition and be very happy to chat about what they are doing.
Lower King artists Abigail Parker and Louise Stewart Brown will both be showcasing wildlife and flora of the Great Southern in their individual home studios. Abigail will be demonstrating watercolour techniques at 11am on Sunday 5th, Saturday 11th and Friday 17th April. Louise will be working on all her current projects daily.
Phoenix Fine Arts will be conveniently exhibiting in the CWA Hall just off York St with ten local artists. Amazing artist demonstrations will be held on:
- Saturday 4th April, from 1.30pm with John Coen on mixed media stop frame
- Monday 6th April, from 10.30am with John Coen on portraits in charcoal
- Tuesday 7th April, from 1.30pm Kate Myors on Watercolour painting demo
- Wednesday 8th April, from 10.30am Charles DeBruin on oil painting de
Speaking of halls, the King River Hall will be awash with colour pastels – WHO. The Lower Kalgan Hall is coming alive with the Albany Art Group mixed painting and sculpture exhibit. You can watch some of their artists in action including:
- Saturday 4th April 11am, Ron Goodwin demonstrating Portraiture in Oils
- Monday 6th April 11am, Colin Montifiore Beach Scene in Oils
- Tuesday 7th April Suzanne DeLandgrafft will be demonstrating Figures in Landscape in pastel.
The Porongurup community will be back and exhibiting in their brand-new studio. This will be a fantastic stop break on your way to Mt Barker where Art Chatter Gallery will have an artist painting on-site each day the exhibition is open inside the Strike me Pink Shop. Lavendar Bee are returning this year and demonstrating needle felting on Tuesday 7th April at 10am. Make sure you check out the workshop for all ages on mixed media on Tuesday 14th April. We also see Mitchell House entering this year celebrating 100 years of the Porongurup National Park. You could make a day or two of it in Plantagenet.
Majestic Merino at Nornalup is a must stop visit for textile artists and enthusiasts. Gails expanding photography portfolio of local landscapes is an added bonus.
WHO’S NEW?
The Youngs Siding Community Hall is coming alive with colour and poetry by the local artists. Their exhibit “Youngs at Heart” will open with a night of poetry and storytelling on Saturday 11th April and close on the 18th.
Heather Brown, off the back of her successful VAC exhibit, will now be exhibiting upstairs at Dylans on the Terrace in Albany. A must do meal break stop.
The Shady Booze Hounds, an amazingly talented family, will feature a playful exhibition and opening night on Thursday 2nd April, and closes on Saturday 4th April. Be quick for this one.
A lovely day trip could see you head out to the Torndirrup National Park via Paula Morrisons amazing Blue Waters Studio in Little Grove. Go on to complete your art hop at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station exhibit by Jo Wassell, the artist in residence.
The City of Albany is filling the Town Hall with entries in the Great Southern Art Award. Artists of all ages featuring in this majestic building.
The Museum of the Great Southern is showcasing four legendary diverse local artists. Sue Noakes, Annie Johnson, Helen Parry and Terri Pikora will cover nearly all mediums under one roof. All four will be demonstrating hand stitching or painting daily. Plus, Annie is delivering a workshop on encaustic wax on Thursday 6th and Friday 17th April. Book in for this now as numbers are limited.
The Vancouver Arts Centre is featuring the works of Lee Garvey, centring on portraits. Lee will also be demonstrating her skills at a demonstration on the 15th April.
WHAT ELSE IS ON?
Markets and Fairs are on every weekend. The huge Albany Easter Markets is on Saturday 4th April and showcasing 5 local bands, activities for the kids to get hands on and the Bunny of the moment will be in attendance!!
The Albany Boatshed and Eclipse Events Extravaganza happens on Easter Sunday down on Princess Royal Drive. Albany’s two biggest markets join forces for a fun morning of great music and food…..and shopping. The Boatshed Markets are also open every Sunday from 9am -1pm.
The Art of Books Fair returns to Narrikup on Saturday 11th April. This event is evolving this year to include an artist showcase and demonstration hub. Come and Meet the Makers of the Great Southern region. Get hands on in a workshop.
Plantagenet Wines will be opening every day. The Denmark Markets is on every Sunday with local produce, artisan products and music.
Something for the kids?? Kids Craft Mornings at the Albany Art Café. Book in for Fridays 10th and 17th April. Multiple activity stations for ages 4-12. Check out their website www.albanyartworkshops.com.au to book. You can also see Carol Hope’s exhibit at the same time!
The Great Southern Museum in Albany has a plethora of activities on over the holidays. It’s all happening with the Discovery Centre is open every day.
- An Escape Room will be operational from Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th
- Sunlight Stories: Cyanotype Photography on Monday 13th & Friday 17th April
- Flat lay Studio: History from Above on Thursday 16th April
- Photography Workshop & Photo walk on Wednesday 15th April
Check out the Museum’s website for times and bookings at http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/museum-of-the-great-southern#whatson
ArtSouthWA presents the Easter Arts Festival with support from the State Government, The City of Albany, Community Bank Albany, Lotterywest and Southern Ports.