SUMMARY
The 2024 Southern Art + Craft Trail (SACT) showcased over 600 artist’s works in 74 venues across the Greater Southern region during the September/October school holidays (21st September to 6th October 2024). In addition, 16 schools participated that included displays from approximately 480 students. This year the geographical coverage encompassed the Shire of Manjimup, Denmark, Cranbrook, Albany, Newdegate, Katanning, Plantagenet, Kojonup and Gnowangerup.
This annual arts event is the largest in the region and has been running for 21 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.
OFFICIAL LAUNCH
The official opening was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Albany on Wednesday 18th September. An invitation only event, attendees included City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, Regional Arts WA CEO Pilar Kasat and Uncle Lester Coyne who provided a Welcome to Country. ArtSouthWA was represented by Chairperson Simone Klose and the Board members plus over 80 ArtSouthWA members and artists.
STATISTICS
According to recorded data, over 12 340 people visited the SACT exhibitions, workshops and events. This doesn’t include the passer-by traffic at public venues and businesses who may not have been recorded by Exhibition venues. 47% 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. Even so, this is an increase of 5.7% or an extra 714 people on the previous year. Considering high interest rates, increased food and fuel costs, this was an unexpected result. We estimate the SACT contributed greatly to over $5 million visitor spend in the region. It should be noted this is the first time since COVID19 that the Southern Art + Craft Trail event has been the single regional scale event on during the school holidays. The event is usually held in conjunction with the Albany Sea Shanty Festival, which moved to July in 2024.
WHAT HAPPENED
Over 16 days, a diverse and exciting range of art exhibitions were on offer including open studios, hands-on workshops in Mt Barker, Denmark and Albany, demonstrations, artist’s talks and public art displays. Works included painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, antique assemblages, printmaking, bathymetric contour art, woodwork, jewellery, photography, resin and glass art. Visitors were able to view artwork in studios and meet with the artist.
The 16 schools 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 Art South WA in recent years and collaborations with the Community Living Association resulted in a fabulous exhibit with over 10 clients participating in their exhibition. A new collaboration for 2024 included the Albany Aboriginal Corporation utilising the Albany Aboriginal Heritage Community Centre as a venue. This collective of indigenous people were open for 14 days.
15,000 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 is also online and is the largest and most popular acknowledged source of information for Art Trail visitors.
A copy of the report is available HERE
