How Open Studios Works
Open Studios Sunshine Coast is an exciting opportunity for artists living and working on the Sunshine Coast to engage with the local art lovers, gain exposure through local media coverage, develop creative networks, as well as showcasing and selling work to both locals and visitors to the region.
This inclusive event has been held annually since 2010 and features a mix of established and emerging local artists as well as hobbyists who are keen to showcase the work that they have been creating.
Each year the range of participating studios / galleries includes an amazingly diverse range of work including painting, drawing, ceramics, glass art, jewellery, photography, textile art, artisan shoemakers, resin art, metal work, digital art, printmaking, recycled and repurposed art.
The annual event is held over two weekend in May, and the week that joins them. With one weekend the studios in the Hinterland open and the other weekend the studios on the Coast open.
Participating artist need to commit to being open between 10am - 4pm on their designated weekend (depending on their location).
Some artists decide to open between the Monday to Friday in the intervening week or on the preceding Friday of the first weekend. Other artists like to run workshop during this time to give visitors a first hand experience of how work is created.
To assist Arts Connect with the running costs of the event, participants are required to pay a $300 registration fee which contributes to the cost of marketing activities including a printed and electronic guide book / website / signage / social media activity etc.
Participating artists must also be paid up members of Arts Connect Inc which costs $60 annually you can pay when registering for Open Studios.
Studios, Galleries and Collectives that wish to participate must be located within the Sunshine Coast Region and must have suitable public liability insurance.
If you are interested in participating in 2025 but would like to know more there will be a coffee catch up on Wednesday, January 15 at 10am at the cafe at Sunshine Coast Art & Framing Gallery. Please email Lea (Open Studios Coordinator) if you would like to come along openstudios@artsconnectinc.com.au
Or if you would like to be kept updated about planning for the event before registrations close on Monday, February 3 please make contact with Lea Parkes the Open Studios Co-ordinator openstudios@artsconnectinc.com.au
You will find more info to assist your decision on our website under 2025 Artist Info.