More than 60 artists will open their studios to visitors across the Huon Valley later this month, more than double the number that took part last year.
The Huon Valley Studio Art Trail will run from October 23-25 stretching 150km from Dover to Grove and back to Cygnet.
Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Alex Heroys said the trail gave visitors the chance to meet artists and makers in the places where they work.
Some studios were more advanced than others, he said, while some were “tacked onto the side of the house”.
“That’s kind of the beauty of the Tassie experience, isn’t it?” he told Pulse.
“This is a chance to really understand what it means for a wood maker or a metal maker or a painter or a fabric producer to really put these things together in their studio and sell it direct to you.”
This year it includes seven artist hubs, which bring several artists and makers together in one location.
Willie Smith’s, The Kiln and Balfour House in Cygnet will each host five or more artists.
Kerrie Rhodes, who owns The Artisan’s Hand at Balfour House, said the hubs were “an exciting addition to this year’s trail”.
“Travelling between studios is a chance to experience the great southern beaches, the picturesque Huon River lined with orchards, valleys and mountains,” she said.
According to Heroys, organisers were seeing “strong interest from interstate visitors”, with inquiries from people in Victoria and up the eastern seaboard planning to fly in for the weekend.
“This is exactly what we wanna hear,” he said.
“So my advice for us locals – get out there now before the mainlanders come down and buy it all up.”
Among the stops is a youth collaborative at the art school in Huonville on October 23, where young artists are putting together a mural and other works.
Organisers say studios on the trail showcase work ranging from oil painting, watercolours and ceramics to jewellery, instrument making, spoon carving and natural fabric dyeing and visitors can attend live demonstrations.
A new website with artist profiles and an interactive digital map has been set up for the trail and a printed souvenir map will also be available.
