Newstead Open Studios offers people the opportunity to get up close to a potter’s wheel, a painter’s brush or watch a print-maker in action. In 2022, twenty-six artists are showing their creativity in 14 studios and venues in Newstead and close by.

Newstead Open Studios started in 2015, offering an ‘arts trail’ linked to a Newstead artists’ initiative – the exhibition Spadeworks. The first year, our ‘arts trail’ offered 6 studios and 9 artists, ceramics, sculpture, photography, print-makers and more, coordinated by Chris Johnston.

Each year since, Newstead Open Studios have engaged more local artists in our network, creating amazing opportunities for people to experience the special experience of visiting local artist studios.

Newstead Open Studios has run now for seven years, as part of Castlemaine State Festival or in alternate years linked to Arts Open, an open studios event, both held in March each year.

Some studios have opened each year, but others open every second year, reflecting the time and energy involved in creating new work as well as the time involved in polishing up the studio for visitors.

And each year, several artists take on the task of coordinating our Newstead Open Studios: in 2022, thanks to Sarah Koschak, Selina Wilson, Belinda Prest and Chris Johnston for coordination, Sarah for graphic design, Belinda for media, Chris for the website, Selina for sponsorship.

Come and see what we have to offer.