First ArtSouthWA Easter Festival attracts more than 10,000 visitors to venues in Albany, Denmark and Mt Barker

West Australian

29-04-2025

Organisers estimate more than 10,000 people enjoyed an arty adventure during the ArtSouthWA Easter Festival.
The inaugural event attracted some of the Great Southern's most talented creators who displayed their arts in venues dotted around Albany, Denmark and Mt Barker, and all areas in between.
ArtsSouthWA chair Sierah Woodward said the festival was such a success, it will run again next year.
The Albany Easter Markets were attended by more than 5000 people and 60 local artisan and food stalls.
Nat Radivojevic, the public program officer at Vancouver Arts Centre, provided the sound element for the 100 Chawan exhibition at the Vancouver Arts Centre.
The installation featured 100 tea bowls crafted by local potters Collyn Gawned and Linda Chambers, and included tea tastings.
The centre also arranged for the Children's University, an organisation encouraging lifelong learning, to visit.
Kylie Riches, who shared space with Karen Quain and Stephen Bristow-Baohm at Ms Quain's Elleker studio, said the exhibition had gone well.
'We enjoyed sharing our art with visitors to the studio, we had a great time,' she said.
Albany's main square was a musical hotspot and included performances from the Offsiders and the Playlist Choir.
The recently renovated Millbrook House hosted an exhibit by Cynthia Orr while Ms Woodward, Chrissy Gregory and Justine Gamblin showcased their Earth Water Sky piece at the Denmark Visitor Centre.
Mt Barker featured local artists in action at the Art Chatter Gallery.
ArtSouthWA co-ordinator Anne Sparrow said she hoped even more artists and venues could be included next year.
'The Easter Art Festival aimed to let visitors and locals know what events were happening over Easter,' she said.
'We look forward to including even more next year and invite artists, wineries and hospitality businesses from across the region to be involved.'