Last month’s Margaret River Region Open Studios attracted record visitor numbers with survey results showing an estimated 30 per cent increase.
Event chairman Jim Davies said event organisers and participating artists were thrilled with the results from the 16-day event.
“As well as having significantly more people visit studios, we’re also pleased to see we attracted a significant number of new visitors to the event – 42 per cent of total visitation,” he said.
“Most people spent three to four days visiting studios and visited up to 10 studios during their stay.
“I believe having Jacksons Drawing Supplies partnering with Open Studios this year also contributed significantly in getting the word out to art lovers across WA and we thank them and all of our partners for their valuable support.”
Mr Davies said 40 per cent of Margaret River Region Open Studios visitors came from Perth and 60 per cent of visitors purchased art.
The most popular studios featured painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, mixed media and drawing.
Estimated benefit to the region was $5.5 million.
These figures were sourced from 2018 artist visitor records and the 2018 online visitor survey.
Artist studios were opened across the region from Busselton to Augusta in their homes, barns, in wineries, art galleries, a retro petrol station, and even an ice cream dairy.
Margaret River Region Open Studios will return from 27 April to 12 May 2019 and planning is already underway.
To find out more visit mrregioniopenstudios.com.au, email art@mrros.com.au or follow the event on Facebook mrropenstudios or Instagram @margaretriverregionopenstudios.
