This year’s Margaret River Region Open Studios (MRROS) has broken a number of event records with a 50 percent increase in visitor numbers, more than 130,000 studio visits (up from 85,000) and an estimated $10 million in economic benefit generated for the region from the 16-day event.
Visitors enjoying Jane Watts and Charlotte De Latte’s Quindalup studio.
Held from 10-25 September, 168 artists from Busselton to Hamelin Bay opened their private studio spaces to showcase their work and process. More than half the visitors came from outside the region (51% were from Perth) and 27% were first-time visitors to the event.
The results were announced to artists by Chair Jim Davies last night at Shelter Brewing Co where the weekend’s WA Tourism Awards Gold award win was also celebrated.
“It’s been a huge week and year for Margaret River Region Open Studios!” Jim said. “On Saturday night we were announced as the winner of the Festival and Events category of the WA Tourism Awards, and results from our Visitor Survey show that we’ve again broken records in visitor numbers, studio visits, online and offline reach, and importantly economic impact to the region.
“Visitor satisfaction was overwhelmingly positive. 99 percent said the event met their expectations, 98 percent said it was an important event on WA’s art calendar, 98 percent were satisfied with the variety of art and mediums and a huge 97 percent said they would likely attend next year’s event.”
The survey also revealed that most visitors spent 3 to 4 days visiting studios with an average of 10 studios visited, and 71 percent bought art.
Ant Debbo: Image: Jack Constantine Josephine Johnson: Image Jack Constantine
Event partners played a significant role in promoting MRROS with 7,500 event guides distributed through Jacksons Art Supplies stores, 40,000 MRROS-branded coffee cups distributed by Yahava around WA and Shelter Brewing releasing 10,000 Pale Ale cans featuring their new mural by MRROS artist Ian Daniell and the MRROS brand.
Jim said Margaret River Region Open Studios would return from 9 to 24 September 2023 and advised visitors to get in early and book accommodation.
Margaret River Region Open Studios is free for visitors to create their own artistic adventure from the huge choice of talented artists. The natural beauty of the Margaret River Region is a significant influence on MRROS artists and inspires event visitors.
Margaret River Region Open Studios is made possible thanks to Tourism Western Australia, City of Busselton, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, Private Properties, Rio Tinto, Swings & Roundabouts and more.
Visit www.mrropenstudios.com.au to plan your 2023 artistic adventure.