Behind the Studio Door at Noosa Open Studios
Get ready to be inspired by Queensland’s largest open studios event, where the route is yours to choose and every stop offers a creative burst. Charlie Shelley explores what this year’s Noosa Open Studios has in store.
Art holds a special place in our lives. It brings us joy, contemplation and inspiration, and it can add a splash of colour and intrigue to the spaces in which we live, work and play. But while we regularly enjoy the effects of art, few of us have had the chance to peek behind the curtain to see where the work begins – in the studio, at the workbench, on the wall, in the quiet hours where an idea – a spark – slowly turns into something real. Noosa Open Studios is here to change that.
Now in its 11th year, the annual event sees artists open the doors to their creative spaces for ten days, giving art lovers the chance to meet the makers, ask questions and follow a trail that stretches from the coastline to the hinterland. It is a choose-your-own-adventure style experience, where visitors can shape their own route, linger where something catches their eye and discover new favourites along the way. The event runs on the days nominated by each participating artist, with studios open from 10am to 4pm, making it easy to plan a day or string together a few visits across the region. This year, the event returns to August to take advantage of the final throes of winter and, the participating artists have been carefully curated to a more sustainable number to allow for more time to linger, talk and take in each space without feeling rushed.
Wallace House remains as the starting point with an exhibition representing each artist’s work as well as maps, artist information and advice from the friendly volunteers to help you plan your journey. To truly make the most of the experience, download the Noosa Open Studios Trail App before heading out. Search, filter and browse the full list of participating artists, then build your own itinerary visiting the creative spaces and artists you most want to see. Plus, it links with Google Maps, making navigating the trail an effortless experience.
Variety is the spice of life so tailor the day around new experiences or your own interests – whether that means visiting painters, ceramicists, sculptors, artisans, printmakers – or a little of everything. One visit might lead to a conversation about light and landscape, the next to a discussion about texture, form or the stubborn unpredictability of making art by hand.
The beauty of the event is that there is no single way to do it. Some people will set out with a plan and tick off a handful of studios in a neat line. Others will wander a little more freely, allowing one visit to lead to another as the day unfolds – perhaps stopping into a café, restaurant or bar along the way… Either way, the quest of creative curiosity is bound to be rewarding. There is also more to this year’s program than the studio trail itself.
A luncheon on 31 July at Sunshine Beach Surf Club will serve as both a fundraiser and a cracking way to spend a Friday with stunning ocean views, a fabulous feast and online auction featuring art and a mix of other donations including beauty products, accommodation, jewellery and tickets to the Broncos.
Studio One Noosa will be hosting an exhibition of artworks in its gallery for two weeks ahead of the auction, giving potential buyers the chance to view the pieces in person before bidding with funds also going towards McGrath Foundation.
Internationally renowned Australian artist Michael Zavros will be the guest speaker to add another layer of interest to the month’s celebrations of creativity. The result is a trail of discovery – a road trip through the region’s artistic heart. It’s a chance to enter the creative sanctuaries of some of our most talented residents to better understand and appreciate how living in Noosa influences and inspires their artistic pursuit. And you might just find a special piece that captures your heart.
ART EXTRAVAGANZA
14-23 August 2026
10-Day Art Extravaganza
Noosa Open Studios Art Trail
Witness Noosa’s creative spirit come alive this August, as more than 80 artists throw open the doors to their creative spaces and invite the public in to learn about methods (and the madness!) that underpins their work. For artist profiles, workshop bookings, or to download the Noosa Open Studios App or the official Art Trail Guide, visit www.noosaopenstudios.com.au
