Tour the High Country with this InStudio Art Trail
An InStudio Art Trail is happening each weekend in August and we think it’s the perfect reason to take a day trip up North.
Updated 04 August 2023
Photograph by Morgan Smith
There's something about a country drive that does something for the soul. Maybe it's the fresh air or the wide open spaces; the flickering landscapes of grazing pastures, the patchwork forests of pine, or the fields of cacti and grass trees that so readily inspires. A short 30 min drive from Toowoomba and you’ll encounter all of these, and it came as no surprise then, to find within our charming little neighbours to the north such a burgeoning community of artists and studios.
We took a drive up North to follow the InStudio Art Trail, and we’re here to tell you we thought this was the perfect reason to plan another day trip soon…
As much an adventure as an art exhibition, the InStudio Art Trail is a free self-drive tour of over 44 local artist studios, galleries, and creative spaces: a collaboration of painters and sculptors, felters, drawers, jewellery makers, mosaicists, potters and metal workers, all opening their doors each weekend for the duration of August.
What set this experience apart though, beyond appreciation of the art itself (you’ll find everything from the quirky and the whimsical, to beautiful fine art, sculptures and handcrafted jewellery) is hearing the stories of the artists themselves. There is a quote that says that “every great artwork is simply a little piece of the artist that made it” and we couldn’t help but recognise this as we watched them work and as they shared what inspires them, their techniques and what they’ve learned, and in hearing them talk with passion of their chosen mediums.
It would be a challenge to drive away from this experience without feeling just a little wowed by the talent and creativity of these artists, or without at least a dozen fun facts to casually drop into conversation at your next dinner party (did you know carroting was a felt-making process that involved the use of Mercury, and that many artisans suffered Mercury poisoning as a result? Or that Leonardo Da Vinci was ambidextrous? Those ones are on us!).
Be warned though, we dare say it’s likely to inspire a few new hobbies as well. . . and if you’re anything like us, a two-hour google deep dive into the incredible artform that is felting.
You can find out more info about the artists, hours and a full list here.
