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Open Studios a top draw

Catherine MasseyBusselton Dunsborough Times
Margaret River Region Open Studios glass and jewellery maker Evelyn Henschke and printmaker/painter Kay Gibson.
Camera IconMargaret River Region Open Studios glass and jewellery maker Evelyn Henschke and printmaker/painter Kay Gibson. Credit: Catherine Massey

The Margaret River Region continues to be a colourful oasis this week, with Open Studios continuing its display of local artwork.

More than 100 artists have opened their doors to the public for the 16-day event and expressed their individual influences to create the masterful pieces of work on display in their studios.

Cowaramup glass and jewellery maker Evelyn Henschke said her work had no limits and she was inspired by what she saw throughout her day.

“I mainly work with glass — I melt it, I decorate it, I turn into beads. There’s lots of processes involved,” she said.

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“I enjoy drifting off into my own space and losing myself into the multiple options I’ve got with decorating.”

“We had a really big weekend, the first two days. I think it would be a similar amount of people from the area and from Perth. It’s definitely a very popular event.”

Cowaramup painter and printmaker Kay Gibson produces art to express WA wildlife and plants, and to highlight her concerns for the environment.

Gibson said she used plant matter in her work because of the intricate backgrounds it created.

“I like doing different techniques,” she said.

“When people come to visit they do tend to ask about my techniques.”

“I’m influenced by the environment and my concerns for the environment.

“I like to marry my materials with the subject. That’s something a lot of artists do.”

MRR Open Studios chairman Jim Davies said artists were reporting record visitor numbers and sales as well as great visitor feedback for the first weekend.

“The first weekend of Open Studios has been a fantastic success and many of our artists have reported record visitor numbers and artwork sales,” he said.

Open studios will continue until September 27. Visit mrropenstudios.com.au.

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