By KATH GANNAWAY
MORE than 36 hills artists and art collectives will open their studio doors to the public this coming weekend.
For the past 12 years the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios event has provided a window of opportunity for the wider public to get more than a glimpse of artists working in their natural environment across a diverse range of mediums.
It’s about two days of discovering the amazing wealth of artistic endeavour and talent in the hills, with studios dedicated to ceramics, textiles, painting, illustration, performance, woodwork, street art and more.
The Dandenong Ranges’ artists are an ever-changing, eclectic lot, so there is always something new and exciting behind the studio doors.
Two new categories have been added to the program this year providing an opportunity for emerging artists to showcase fresh and exciting works, and the ‘oddballs’, introducing a sprinkling of artists who push the boundaries.
The event draws almost 5000 visitors to the hills each autumn to meet the artists and see how, why and where they create.
“It is in these curious and inspirational environments that the artists’ creative practice truly comes to life,” said event co-ordinator Amy Middleton.
The artists are also represented in the Open Studios exhibition at Burrinja in Upwey until 3 May.
Dandenong Ranges Open Studios weekend is 18 and 19 April.
For further information visit: www.openstudios.org.au.
