Burnside art haven among offerings in Margaret River Region Open Studios 2024

Art lovers will have a chance to experience a festival within a festival during this year’s Margaret River Region Open Studios without the need to travel from one end of the Capes to the other.

A community of artists based around Freshwater Drive in Burnside are coming together for this year’s showcase, opening their studio doors while also providing an insight into how the creative community helps and supports each other.

Featuring in this year’s spectacular are well-known and up-and-coming artists including Leon Pericles, Pascale Abbott, Kate Wood and Julie-Ann Brown, as well as nearby practitioners Jolene Hewison and Martine Perret.

Mixed media artist Abbott told the Times the Burnside setting was an inspiration for creatives.

“It is a beautiful and quiet area which is very close to town and the ocean, and it has created a calm and inspirational environment to create art,” she said.

“We all do different types of art practice which is great for people visiting during Open Studios.”

Painter Brown said the magpies frequenting the area offered her most recent inspiration for a new series which will be showcased when the exhibition starts.

“The clusters of maggies that congregate on our property and their amazing warble has my attention every time,” she said.

“Privacy, peace and tranquillity allow me to immerse myself into my work with limited distraction.”

Veteran artist Pericles said artist mingles were commonplace these days.

“They come to my place and steal all my ideas — I’m joking, there’s honour among thieves and we don’t copy each other,” he said.

“Some do refer to me as the ‘old master’ as I’m the oldest. I’m also open to mentoring anyone that wants to come around.”

Brown and others said Pericles’ presence was a great help to the artistic community and gatherings included a focus on how to maintain the local creative industry.

The multi-talented Britta Wilson, who makes furniture, jewellery, paintings and woodwork, said the proximity to Pericles’ established gallery helped draw punters to the area.

“I got less than 10 per cent of the visitors he did (last year), but it was still a huge amount and I was very happy with my sales,” Wilson said.

“Many people stop at at least one or two other studios in the area if they are going to see Leon.”

Ceramic artist Kate Wood said her showcase was based at her mother’s property in Burnside, which also drew in visitors travelling through the artistic neighbourhood.

“It’s such a creative place to live because of the natural environment we’re surrounded by,” she said.

“I am at the river and out in the bush nearly every day and that’s what I’m currently working on: pieces with a botanical theme or inspired by the river and ocean.”

Open Studios start from Saturday, September 7, for a fortnight of art, fun and events.