ArtSouthWA: Discover 24 years of great southern artistry returning from Saturday 26th September until Sunday 11th October. Covering over 46,000 hectares from Pemberton to Bremer Bay the 2026 Southern Art+Craft Trail weaves its magic through communities connecting visitors to artists and shopkeepers to students. If you count all the school students displaying their work, the Art Trail showcases nearly 1000 artists. That’s a lot of colour, clay and creativity.
Schools on the Art Trail
A record 21 schools are participating this year. No matter which way you enter Southern Art+Craft Trail country, you can stop for a break in small communities like Borden. Northcliffe, Gnowangerup, Frankland and Wellstead to view the next generation of artist’s work.
Eternal
Two amazing stallwarts of the Southern Art+Craft Trail are returning this year. At over 90 years of age, the timeless art of June Smith in Denmark is once again open to visitors. Adventures in Wood (aka The Woodies) have moved venues. This year they are exhibiting at the Museum of the Great Southern in Albany. Both these artists have been exhibiting for over 20 years. An amazing feat by any standard.
Whose new in 2026?
Reef Gallery in Bremer Bay is opening their doors for the very first time. Will it be completed in time for opening? Time will tell but don’t be surprised to see some work still in action. Gnornbup Gallery in Bremer Bay has returned so it would be an amazing opportunity to stay a day or two and explore Bremer.
Rockliffe Winery in Denmark is showcasing the work of debutant Catherine McKinlay for the first time.
Kendenup has jumped in the Art Trail this year. The community is showcasing two venues this year. Angela Marbeck, a solo exhibitor of paintings and drawings, and the Kendenup Town Hall who are a collective of over ten artists. Just a hop, skip and jump from Mt Barker and great place to spend a morning or afternoon.
Gooranang Moortabiin are exhibiting in Mt Barker this year with a strong contingent of indigenous artists from across the great southern. Rowena Wilkes is exhibiting with daughter Bronte Wilkes in Mt Barker with a truly unique bookbinding exploration of textures. The Plantagenet Potters are exhibiting this year at West Cape Howe Wines. Braidwood Art Studio is opening their doors for the first time in the Southern Art+Craft Trail.
The Porongurup Art Studio opened its new doors for the Easter Arts Festival this year but this is their debut exhibit for the Art Trail. If you’re travelling to or from Mt Barker to Albany, stop in Redmond at first timer Colin Hanssen’s Painting exhibition that was born from becoming wheelchair bound.
Kagaburra Pottery is new in this year after recently moving to Albany. Renee Tan is exhibiting at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station. Haeses Framing and Gallery are new this year with a showing of four local artists. Nadja Roelofs and daughter Talarah are exhibiting at the Museum of the Great Southern. We also have two new artists debuting at the Vancouver Café with Fern York and Jasmine Peart.
Shannun Nannup is debuting at the Vancouver Arts Centre with a journey of the Seasonal Woman. Artist in residence Scott Henman is also exhibiting as the Artist in Residence and part of the Vancouver Art Centres amazing offering for Art Trail this year.
After a year off Anne Cocherane is back with her textile art pieces in Little Grove. And so are artists Christine de Klerk and potter Nicci Danielle in the Albany CBD.
