ART TRAIL DEMONSTRATIONS & WORKSHOPS
Have you wanted to try your hand at creating a new piece of art? Maybe you have never explored your creative side. Would you just like to surround yourself with art and creativity or learn to sing? Not only are there Art Trail workshops, opening events, markets but you can also immerse yourself in a Festival of Halls workshop too. Mark some of these dates in your calendar and book, keep an eye on our socials and website and book early. The 2026 Southern Art + Craft Trail runs from 26th September to 11th October.
For more information an dhow to book into a workshop – check out the workshop page HERE
THE FIRST WEEK
The Art Chatter Gallery in Mt Barker and Gnornbup Gallery in Bremer Bay, Brown and the Beards at Handasydes Café in Albany and FIGS (Felters in the Great Southern) will have one of their artists working in their gallery space every day during the Trail.
The Cheeky Parrot Gallery is hosting a relaxed evening of storytelling and poetry at their unique little gallery in Mt Barker at 6pm Friday 25 September. At 12 noon on Saturday 26 September The Cheeky Parrot are also hosting the launch of local artist and dedicated art educator, Christine Baker’s incredible book – a celebration of her self-imposed drawing challenge that has resulted in this inspirational, limited edition, hardcover book.
The Albany Pottery Club is holding their Spring Pottery Market at the rear of the Vancouver Arts Centre on the first weekend 9am-12noon 0n 26, 27 and 28 September.
The ArtSouthWA Festival of Halls is holding the first in a series of Art of Spring events at the Youngs Siding Hall on Sunday 27 September. The morning will start with gentle yoga and breathwork with harp music to warm up with Emma Polette before soul deep singing with Shamara de Tissera.
Albany Art Group are exhibiting and doing demonstrations at the Vancouver Arts Centre. At 10am Monday 28 September Suzanne Moore will be demonstrating Pastels on Canvas. Turn up on Tuesday 29 September at10am and you can watch Gel Printing with Fiona Farren. On Wednesday 30 September you can watch and ask questions on Acrylic Landscapes with Lee Garvey. On Thursday 1 October Cartoon drawing with Colin Montefiore
The Mill Art Group in Denmark will be demonstrating Mixed Media with Valerie Caroll at10am Thursday 1 October. At10am on Saturday 3 October you can watch Inks with Pat Pattison
At 10am 2pm on Friday 2 October, the Bornholm Family Fun Day will be held with arty activities for the kids, markets and food.
In Mt Barker 10.30am on Tuesday 29 September you can immerse yourself into a Turkish lamp making workshop at the Mt Barker Library
Carol Hope at the Albany Art Café invites you to her acrylic painting at 6.30pm Friday 2 October. Carol loves sharing her knowledge and creativity using the amazing Albany coastline as her inspiration for workshops.
On Saturday 3rd October there is painting for all ages at the Lavendar Bee Craft Shop in Mt Barker from11am-12noon. Great opportunity for the kids
Also on Sunday 3 October at 10am-2pm you can get hands on into clay at a Hand-building Pottery Birds workshop with local pottery legend Nicci Daniele at her studio in Albany
ArtSouthWA Festival of Halls will be hosting its second Art of Spring workshop with a watercolour and mixed media butterfly painting workshops with artist Alisha Dyer.
At Handasydes Café every Sunday morning, Art Trail booklet cover artists Barry Mackie will be demonstrating his impressionist landscape technique using a limited palette of oil colours and creating images from his imagination. Barry has been painting and teaching oil painting technique for more than 35 years. Watch out for the entertaining banter between Barry and fellow Artist Vicky Brown, who is always happy to share her musings on art.
THE SECOND WEEK
The Lavender Bee Craft Shop in Mt Barker is a hive of kids and adults workshop activity both in store and at the Mt Barker Library. On Monday 5 October, you can take the kids to a painting session in the morning but do one yourself in the afternoon. On Tuesday, you can do a mixed media workshop in the shop. On Thursday 8 October take the kids to making a sketchbook cover but youth and adults can do book biding in the afternoon.
In Denmark at1pm on Wednesday 7 October you can watch and chat with watercolour artist Jenni Harrison at the Mill Art Group at the Denmark CRC. 10am on Friday 9 October you can watch Leah Hammond demonstrate acrylics. At 10am on Sunday 11 October there will be a glasswork demonstration by Rachel Solomon.
11am Sunday there will be the Mountain Country Artisan Market at West Cape Howe Wines in Mt Barker. What a great way to end your Art Trail journey in 2026.
In the natural bushland of Denmark, Catherine Brooker and Carol Ann OConnor in Denmark will be working in their studio each open day. Come chat and watch these amazing artists at work
Check the open days in the booklet for demonstrations with our other amazing artists and gallery including Louise Steart-Brown in Lower King, Kangaburra Pottery in Little Grove, Carol Ann OConnor and Catherine Brooker in Denmark. The Manjimup Arts Hut, Lower Kalgan Artists and Gail Guthrie at Majestic Merino in Nornalup will have someone producing artwork each day – maybe you can have a go too!
Want to find out more? Download a copy of the art trail booklet at our website https://artsouthwa.com.au. And keep up to date on our socials.