Open Art Trails with Open Studios Sunshine Coast
Fancy sneaking a peek inside your favourite artist’s abode? Jodie Cameron explores the region’s vibrant Art Trails…
The Sunshine Coast is home to a bevy of talented artists, and to celebrate our creative region, Open Studios Sunshine Coast is back from 16 to 25 May! From the coast to the hinterland, every artist is different, and it’s this diversity that makes Open Studios so unique. Whether you have an hour, half a day or a whole day, check out the Art Trails Guide and get off the beaten track exploring some of the region’s most exciting artists up close in their own studios, galleries and spaces.
This year’s Art Trails feature six regions – Caloundra, Central and Northern in Coastal; and Montville, Maleny and the Foothills in the Hinterland. Enjoy self-guided tours meeting local artists, viewing artistry in action, purchasing art, and participating in workshops while gaining a newfound appreciation for the local art scene.
Arts Connect Inc President Jen Braithwaite said there were many different and valuable reasons artists choose to be a part of Open Studios, but witnessing the magic of a working creative in their sacred space is what the Art Trails are all about.
“For fledgling artists, it is about gaining exposure to the art-loving and art-buying public,” Jen said. “Sharing your work, particularly from your own creative working space, allows an artist to showcase their skills and creativity in the moment, with a captive audience – this can be a real boost for their confidence.”
With more than 70 participating individual studios and gallery spaces – as well as five days of hands-on, innovative and creative workshops – explore ceramics, upcycling, drawing, glassblowing, mixed media, painting, photography, printing, sculpture and textiles to metalwork, woodwork, jewellery, shoemaking, collage, installation and printmaking. There is literally something for every palette, pardon the pun!
Jen said while working alone can be amazingly productive, it can also be isolating, so Open Studios offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with other artists and art enthusiasts while building relationships with like-minded individuals.
“Receiving instant feedback ultimately helps an artist grow and can offer valuable insights and perspectives by helping refine techniques and developing artistic voice,” Jen said.
Popular printmaking artist and Open Studios Hinterland Maleny favourite, Kim Herringe, has been running small-group workshops for years, and uses the Art Trail as a platform to raise awareness of printmaking as an artform.
“I really embrace the opportunity to educate and inspire visitors about the vast world of printmaking,” Kim said. “Beyond the familiar screen and lino printing, I showcase other techniques including gel and eco printing, cyanotype, collagraph, etching, monotype, embossing and letterpress to open up a whole new creative world.”
First time Open Studios award-winning artist Jane Ericksen – who uses oils, acrylic and inks to depict figurative scenes, portraits and landscapes – said she was excited about linking with the local creative community. While fellow first-time participant, surfer and coastal artist Chris Hooper said after returning to Queensland from Western Australia, he was excited to reintroduce himself to the Sunshine Coast community of art lovers!
“The ocean is my playground and office, so my art reflects the colours and moods that convey the very essence of Australia,” Chris said. “I’m keen to share my passion for our stunning coastlines with the Sunshine Coast art community.”
Are you a budding artist keen on channelling your inner Dali, or want to try something out of the box? Art lovers, amateurs and appreciators at all levels can participate in artist-led workshops to learn, create and immerse themselves in their favourite artists’ space. Grab your easels, paintbrushes and pencils because the Talented Friends Gallery in Caloundra is also joining the Open Studios tribe this year – with some fun community events like a Mini High Tea and Gallery talk, and Public Sketch Out and Paint Out events in the Village Walkway.
You can also experience a taste of works created by this year’s Open Studios artists at their second combined exhibition – Meander 25 – from 14 May at the Old Ambulance Station in Nambour, which will be officially opened by our very own Deb Caruso! Wander, ponder and discover work from this year’s artists in order to plan your very own Open Studios adventure. Where will your curiosity take you?
New in 2025, two ‘Pop Up Studios’ events with four artists in each venue will take place on the weekends of 17 and 18 May at the Old Ambulance Station in Nambour, and 24 and 25 May at the Caloundra Regional Gallery in their new Annexe space behind the gallery, to allow artists without studio spaces the opportunity to share their work.
Check out the online copy of the 2025 Art Trail Guide at the Open Studios website or via the QR code at the bottom of this page. Plus, from mid-April, pick up a hard copy from a variety of locations including Sunshine Coast Art and Framing Gallery, Equity Makers Sunshine Coast, Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, Sunshine Coast Libraries and Eckersley’s Arts & Crafts.
If you are feeling inspired to get creative, your artistic adventures await, see you on the trail.
Open Studios Sunshine Coast
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 May: Hinterland Studios open 10am – 4pm. Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 May: Coastal Studios open 10am – 4pm.
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 May: Pop Up Studios at the Old Ambulance Station, 80 Howard Street, Nambour. Discover four diverse artists in this pop-up space from 10am-3pm.
Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 May: Pop Up Studios at the Annexe space, Caloundra Regional Gallery. Meet four diverse artists in this pop-up space, 10am-2pm.
Monday 19 May – Friday 23 May: Various hands-on workshops.
Wednesday 14 May – Saturday 24 May: Open Studios Meander 25 exhibition at the Old Ambulance Station, 80 Howard Street, Nambour. Wander, ponder and explore work from this year’s artists.
For information on workshops, events, artist profiles and the Art Trail Guide, visit www.openstudiossunshinecoast.com.au
