Its Back! Southern Art + Craft Trail returns for 2026
Get ready to immerse yourself in colour, creativity and community as Western Australia’s most beloved art event returns for its 24th year. The 2026 Southern Art + Craft Trail will run from Saturday 26th September to Sunday 11th October, offering an unforgettable journey through the Great Southern’s vibrant art scene.
Proudly presented by ArtSouthWA, this year’s Trail will feature 55 unique venues across the region, with the works of 500+ artists ready to inspire, challenge and delight visitors of all ages. Dubbed “The Friendly Trail” for its welcoming spirit and strong sense of community, the event covers a vast area (around 46,000 hectares), from Pemberton in the east, winding through some of WA’s most stunning forests and coastal landscapes through to Bremer Bay at the western end.
Celebrating Indigenous Art and Culture
Goorenang Moortabiin will be exhibiting at their new premises in Mt Barker. This exhibition blends traditional cultural knowledge with contemporary artistic expression, creating a bold and deeply moving reflection of resilience, healing, and community.
You could take a selfie with fabulous bee wings in Albany at 30 Peels Place painted by Indigenous Muralist Charli Colbung.
In the West
The Pemberton Art Group is once again exhibiting at the local Sports Club. Their Alchemy theme showcase will feature works from artists including Barbara Maumill, Paul Fontanini, Susan Bradshaw, Lesley Barrett, Margaret Rothery, Dee Credaro, Elaine Steele, Ann Evans, Christine Blowfield and Debra Bettoni.
The Manjimup Arts Hub will bursting at the seams with over 50 artists displaying everything from large paintings and wearable art to a key ring. A must stop venue on your way through the forest country
The view at Majestic Merino at Nornalup is worth the stop. Gail Guthrie offers her photography and textile creations plus a huge array of to-die-for fibres and fabrics to purchase
Denmark: Nature and Artistic Soul
The creative community of Denmark is stronger than ever with nine venues. Carol Ann O’Connor returns with her heartfelt paintings and stories. Catherine Brooker is exploring Trees, Leaves and Seas in her studio nestled in the forest.
Michele Vivier, with her landscapes, and Ellis Pearson, a practising theatre maker, musician and visual artist, are sharing a space that explores musicality and story-telling, that will give you an imaginative and rewarding experience.
A stop out to legendary potter Jonathon Hook is a must. His large paintings now adorn the walls with explosive colour and pattern. On the way, local legend June Smith who, at 91 years of age, has exhibited 21 times has returned for 2026.
Marion Nelson’s serene and diverse mixed medium showcase is once again home at the Chimes Spa Retreat.
In town, visit the Denmark CRC which hosts the Mill Art Group featuring over 15 local artists. The Artistree Shop Collection presents a colour and pattern theme collaborative exhibition with Karen Harries, Nell Parker, Seirah Woodward and including Chrissy Gregory’s eye-catching wearable art.
Kendenup, Mt Barker and Porongurup: Art Amongst the Vines
The Plantagenet region is exploding with a record 14 venues this year. Amongst the grapes and rolling hills of the Plantagenet Shire, two new venues have emerged in Kendenup. A pop-up gallery in the Kendenup Town Hall featuring over 11 artists including Joanna Wharton, Rob Olver, Genevieve Milnes, Janene Freeman, Susan Harrold, Wendy Fitzgerald, Ljiljana Mladenovic, Kimberly Rose-Jones, Jess Burcham, Heather Lindburg and Colleen Currey. Nearby Angela Marbeck is opening her home studio of painting and drawings making Kendenup a great place to come for a day out.
Mt Barker has a heady showcase of talent exhibiting. The Braidwood Studio is participating for the first time featuring five artists Kelly Logan, Adrienne Quenby, Lucas Holleman, Sue Youngman and Heather Roberts.
The Plantagenet Potters will be featuring at West Cape Howe Wines with works for indoors and out.
The Cheeky Parrot showcasing this year’s theme Recite, Recycle, Reinvent featuring gallery artists Christine Baker, Fiona Glen, Merveena Reynolds and Callie Smith.
The Lavender Bee craft shop, is featuring all things smaller than a postcard! Perfect if you don’t have much room.
Nics Café is hosting Abi Jaspers large works featuring reflections on water. Nearly are more of this talented family with Bronte and Rowena Wilkes with their home studio and joint exhibition of paintings, hand bound books and giftware.
Mitchell House Arts Centre is celebrating a historical journey of Plantagenet country with their exhibit.
Art Chatter Galleries featuring Barry Mackie, the 2026 Art Trail Cover Artist, Vicki Brown and crew are all gearing up for a fantastic Art Trail that offers affordability.
The new Porongurup Art Studio is showcasing both the art and craft groups with a display that reaches across a range of mediums and offers something for everyone.
In between
Fist time exhibitor, Colin Hansen is opening his home studio at Redmond. Colin is a 30yr wheelchair bound person who discovered a world of beauty through art. He will have a range of acrylic painting on offer.
Albany: A Coastal Creative Hub
You could start your Albany Art Trail journey towards Torndirrup National Park and spend the day with open home studios and a visit to Albany’s Historic Whaling Station Gallery. Renee Tan’s exhibit invite reflection on the diversity of humanity and the nature of making with her intricate paper-based practices. Kangaburra Pottery is making their debut into the Southern Art+Craft Trail this year with ocean inspired ceramics and demonstrations. Paula Morrison will be opening with her original landscapes and giftware.
Merry Robertson’s studio will inspire you not only with the views across Princess Royal Harbour, but with natural environment themed prints, original drawings and more. Textile artist Anne Cochrane is offering wildly colourful textured felts and earthly colours of the environment printed on paper and fabric including contemporary sculptures and wearables in wool/silk.
Three of Albany’s popular Halls exhibits will once again open their doors. The King River Hall is featuring Lois Drygan, Annette Grant, Jan Henry, Dave Leech, Helen Marshall, Sue Noakes, Hilde Ranson, Cameron Sharp, Fiona Sharp, Libby Sippe, Kathy Suggate and Ivan Trigwell. Nearby Lower Kalgan Hall is showcasing locals Lee Garvey, Ellie Cameron, Judy Maughan, Ron Goodwin, Colin Montefiore, Chris Donnell, Jo Smythe, Sandra Mulvey, Suzanne Delandgrafft and John Collis. The CWA Hall on Serpentine road is hosting the Phoenix Art Group artists Kate Myors, Charles DeBruin, John Coen, Roger Mills, Dianne Buxton, Suzanne Randall, Dierdre Barrot, Leo Birch.
If you’re doing the Albany loop, a colourful stop at Louise Stweart Browns home studio will reward you with wearables, pottery and paintings. Designer Dirt Creatives always impresses with 10 artists featuring both indoor and outdoor creations. The trio of Brown and the Beards are back at Handasydes Café offering landscapes, critters and quirky paintings plus bearded handcrafted fabric gnomes in fabulous fabrics.
The Albany Art Café features a refreshing collection of paintings, prints, resin sculptures, jewellery, giftware and cards all created by Carol Hope when she is not making coffees, cakes and all things delicious.
The Community Living Association returns with painting, mixed media and craft, this inclusive exhibition celebrates creativity and individuality. Meet the artists and enjoy a welcoming space.
In Albany town you can clock up your steps visiting all the venues. Christine de Klerk Art returns for 2026 featuring new work by Christine, Ronel Shephard Photography and Blake Hicks.
Haeses Framing and Gallery is exhibiting mixed mediums from local artists including Jodie Cox, Lynley Lally and photography by Rachael Cole and Aileen Newell.
Nicci Daniele returns with her unique sculptural clay artworks for the collector who is drawn to objects with presence, story, and soul.
The Vancouver Café is a venue this year featuring Fern York’s from her public and private collection.
The Museum of the Great Southern features a stellar lineup: Adventures in Wood, Cynthia Orr, Ros Jenke, Julie Fletcher, and Rose Chapman-Hill
The Vancouver Arts Centre will feature over 100 artists with exhibitions from the Albany Art Group, Felters in the Great Southern, Shannan Nannup, Quadrant printers Helen Fitzhardinge, Pradip Griffiths, Linda Northcott and Rosanna Page, and artist in residence Scott Henman.
In the East
Bremer Bay is showcasing two amazing galleries to explore this year. Gnornbup Gallery returns in the old winery with a diverse range of local artist’s work. The Reef Gallery is set within the extensive gardens at Reef Farm. This brand new gallery is offering both local artists and regional artists a new space to exhibit.
Don’t Miss This!
A record 21 Schools will be holding displays as part of their curriculum activities. Over 400 students partner up with local businesses and public spaces to create vibrant displays across the region.
So mark your calendar, gather your friends, and set your sights on the South! The 2026 Southern Art + Craft Trail is the perfect springtime adventure – full of colour, creativity and community. Keep up to date at our website here https://artsouthwa.com.au.