By Abbey Cannan
The Noosa Open Studios Art Trail is on again this year with the committee’s bold and optimistic call to plan for the event in October.
Visitors will undertake road trips to engage with a record 98 artists and galleries over ten days from 9 to 18 October.
Noosa Open Studios president Trevor Purvis said this made the Noosa Open Studios art trail the second largest art trail in Australia after only five years in operation.
“Our new website and soon to be printed 100 page artist trail guide will help visitors to the Noosa district to plan their preferred artist visits throughout Noosa and the Hinterland,“ he said.“We recommend that you start your trip at the historic Wallace House in Noosaville, where you can collect your guide and view an exhibition showing one example piece from every artist on the trail.
“The volunteers at Wallace House can provide you with refreshments and advise you on your tailored road trip.“
The Noosa Open Studios Art Trail is the only major cultural event to be held in the Noosa community this year.
Trevor said Noosa Open Studios is now in it’s fifth year and is growing in popularity at an average rate of 30 per cent per annum.
“We now guesstimate that the value of Noosa Open Studios to the Noosa community to be about $1 million per annum,“ he said.
“In the past, Sydney, Melbourne and even New Zealand formed a large part our visitors.
“But in this unusual year, the visitors will come predominantly from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and north to Rockhampton.
“We hope that the revitalised, enthusiastic drive market will bring regional visitors flooding in to be part of this year’s open studios ten day event.“
Currently, the Noosa Open Studios Art Trail regular supporters are Noosa Regional Council, and Tourism Noosa, with a very generous sponsorship from Hinternoosa Real Estate, and more recently Lynn and Ron Scott from Moon Mountain Sanctuary.
Trevor said this year they have come up with a very exciting fundraising event.
“The Noosa Open Studios committee along with artist Yanni van Zijl and Tourism Noosa have engaged 26 selected artists in the Open Studios trail event this year to each paint the canvas for a beach deck chair in their unique painting style,“ he said.
“Cooroora Woodworkers in Cooroy are making the 26 deckchairs from local red gum. And we will hold a viewing and auction at the Noosa Botanical Gardens in Cooroy on 3 October.
“This event will showcase our local creativity to launch a new and iconic symbol for Noosa, embracing the beach and culture of the region. Thereby establishing a permanent link in Noosa between beach and art cultures to all visitors.“
For more information visit www.noosaopenstudios.com.au
