Several artists from the Collie community are taking part in Promote Preston’s Art Naturally – Preston River Valley Artisan Trail happening at the start of November
Local artists Bob Turner and Diana Symes who both exhibited their work at the Collie Art Gallery will be getting involved, as well as artists Sally Young and Cynthia Dix who will both be opening their homes to members of the public, showcasing a variety of different artwork.
The trail has been organised by volunteer group Promote Preston, which is a group made up of community members from the Yabberup Community Association who all work together to promote the Preston River Valley.
Promote Preston member Fiona Richardson said for their Spring calendar this year they chose to do an art trail to promote the region.
“The trail focuses much on the Preston River Valley which is a beautiful place in the South West. The focus will be on textile fine art, as this is an area of art that receives little exposure,” she said.
Ms Richardson said the trail would showcase artists in their homes as well as a competition and For the Love of Nature exhibition held at the Yabberup Hall, which Ms Symes is going to be apart of.
Artist Cynthia Dix said joining the art trail and opening her home and studio to members of the public was something she always wanted to do.
“One artist Jannelle Barnes who lives in Yabberup opens her studio once a year and that’s her major exhibition every year. She asked me if I would be interested in being part of this art trail and I was thrilled when she asked me,” Ms Dix said.
She then asked if Mr Turner and Ferguson Valley’s Heather Elliot Smith would be her guest artists and to put some of their own pieces of artwork to have displayed at her house in Mumballup.
She said Mr Turner was metal artist who creates quirky sculptures and Ms Smith was a glass artist who taught her techniques in slump and fused glass.
“All of these people that are coming do different things to me and it gives them different things to look at and there will be quite a bit happening here,” Ms Dix said.
“At my place people can have a look inside my actual studio and I will displaying ceramics, paintings and other prints for sale. Heather will have her glass art and Bob will have his sculptures as well.”
Artist Sally Young said she was already in the process of opening her studio up on a full time basis and decided to join the trail as her studio was already going to be ready by that stage.
“I do felted, silk and marino wearable art. I am a bit of an environmentalist so I use and work mostly in natural fibers, I call it eco friendly fashion. I also work with wool, cotton and do prints on fabrics as well,” she said.
On the map there are six different locations you can visit including Studio 500, Fernbank, the Yabberup Hall, the Yabberup Studio, Cynthia’s Studio and Sally Young Design.
The Preston Valley Store and Mumballup Pub will also be open throughout the weekend.
The trail runs for two days, on November 3 until November 4. For more information about the trail go to http://www.imaginegwnp.com/events.html.
