Artists in the region are gearing up to give the community a behind the scenes experience during the inaugural Peel Open Studios.
During the event, artist will open their private creative spaces to the general public, allowing people to meet them and view their works in progress.
While the event is fresh news to the people of Mandurah, the concept has be featured in other regions across Western Australia.
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Margaret River hosts the largest event of its kind in the state and will celebrate its fifth birthday this year.
Open over two weekends in May, visitors can visit a range of painters, printmakers, sculptors, ceramicists, jewellers, photographers and textile artists free of charge.
Each open studio has been listed on a map which is available online and on event pamphlets, which have been distributed at Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah, visitor centre’s in Perth, Pinjarra, Waroona, Dwellingup and Mandurah, as well as a the Mandurah and Falcon Libraries.
In its first year, organisers aimed to gather 20 studios for the trail but were pleasantly surprised when 40 artists signed up for the event.
The event was made possible by financial support from the City of Mandurah, through the Stretch Arts Festival’s funding.
Organisers endeavour to continue the event annually, as a featured element of the colourful festival that’s celebrated each May.
The event has highlighted a creative cluster, with six artists working on the same street.
Aiveen O'Donovan, Amanda Kimberley, Deanne Milburn, Leon Holmes, Trevor Blyth and Margaret Francis work out of four seperate studios, located on Leslie Street in Dudley Park.
A number of artists featured in this year’s event draw their inspiration from the Peel region’s picturesque landscape.
Mandurah’s CBD will play host to three stops on the map, with the talented Vivid Gallery artists, landscape photographer Christian Fletcher and popular painter Emma Blyth keen to share a different perspective in their artwork.
The Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery and Dwellingup’s Forest Discovery Centre will also feature in the unique event.
The studios will be open between 10am and 4pm from May 18-20 and May 25-27.
Each artist will be identified by curbside signs in front of each studio.
For more information visit the Peel Open Studios website, Facebook page or contact organiser Lyn Nixon via email on peelopenstudios@gmail.com.
