By Kath Gannaway
IN ONLY its second year, organisers of Yarra Valley Open Studios are claiming it as a landmark regional event.
More than 70 artists took part in 56 studios across the Yarra Valley, opening their doors to locals and visitors over the three-day event.
YVOS spokesman Mike Emmett said on Monday morning final figures were still coming in from tired but happy artists.
“Last year we had 20,000 studio visits and this year felt busier,” he said.
There is no doubt Open Studios has cemented itself as a sustainable tourism and cultural event on the Yarra Valley calendar.
“We had people coming out saying they were staying at the RACV for the whole weekend. One couple booked a week so they could catch up if they missed any of the studios,” he said.
Judith Haviland and Helen Brown included Sioux Dollman’s studio in Warburton on their 2010 itinerary and said it had been bustling everywhere they had visited.
“To see the artists working has been fantastic,” Ms Haviland said. “I can’t believe how many artists we have in this area … it’s just amazing.”
Upwey visitors Liz and Jim Reid were impressed with the great diversity of artists and the organisation and promotion of the event.
Mr Emmett said a common theme in the guest books was that it should be a more regular event.
“That is one of the great things … and we are all tempted to say, ‘let’s do it once a month’, but not today,” he said still recovering from the weekend.
With sponsors knocking at their door, and more “undiscovered” artists also keen to be part of future events, Yarra Valley Open Studios is waving the flag for arts in the region.
“It’s great to have a landmark event for the region that is arts based and says the Yarra Valley is certainly about food and wine, but it is also very much about art,” Mr Emmett said.
