The Blackwood River Arts Trail (BRAT) is the must-see arts event in the South West of Western Australia held around Easter each year. It offers an exciting range of art and film experiences for visitors to enjoy from April 5 to 20 in the Blackwood River region that includes Nannup, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Donnybrook-Balingup and Boyup Brook.
Now in its fifth year, BRAT presents 100+ artists opening their home studios for an intriguing glimpse into their processes and creative environments; as well as exhibitions held in more than 30 venues including cafes, gardens, gift shops, small galleries and collective spaces. Along with the Blackwood River Film Festival that this year is presented in Balingup for the first time.
Visitors love that many of the venues are within or close to town centres, allowing them to wander the character-filled streets of these beautiful regional towns and villages.
There are also studios further afield that offer the opportunity to discover the scenic landscapes surrounding charming country roads that wind their way through rural and bush landscapes.
Work on display includes that of both emerging and established artists. In Balingup, Tracey Saggers’ work featuring painting and found object sculpture is on display at Jalbrook Estate and in Kirup Gary Smitherman’s intriguing landscape art and sculpture at House of Dada . In Nannup , the youngest BRAT artist eight-year-old Charlie Baker will exhibit his pencil and charcoal studies. Tromp Studios feature a display of painting and felt/textiles. Cassi Jo Davis and Trish Durham exhibit their painting, textiles, jewellery and sculpture, in Goorbilyup Gallery in Bridgetown. Monique Chapman, a leather crafter exhibits her work in Boyup Brook, along with Anna Murchison’s painting and poetry at Curlew Estate, Mayanup.
An amazing array of artforms can be found along the trail including sculpture, painting, ceramics, textile and wearable art, mosaics, weaving, felting, illustration, poetry and photography. There is also the opportunity to participate in a variety of creative workshops offered by artists along the trail.
