Magnetic Island Artists will open their studios and galleries to the public for the third annual Art Safari on Sunday August 7th from 10 to 3pm, plus an Art Lover’s Cocktail party afterwards. With the help of Townsville City Council community grants, a directory with Art Safari map will be available to point the way to a sampling of art studios and galleries, featuring dozens of local artists and artisans.

There are three ways to do the Art Safari: Book a guided tour, self-drive in your car or go on the island buses with a daily pass.

Whichever way visitors plan to travel, they will need to get a copy of the directory which will be available at various art and tourism outlets this week and outside the Magnetic Island ferry terminal on the day. Visitors should then look for the zebra-striped safari flags at venues around the island.

Milliner, Jayne Turnbull

Painters, potters, jewellery makers and textile artists are among the scores of talented artists who make Magnetic Island well-known as an artist’s colony. This is a chance for the public to meet and get to know them, to chat about their craft and maybe even purchase a fine piece of work direct from the artist.

Landscape artist Peter Lawson at work

Several Island galleries will be found on the map: Sasha Stafford’s gallery at Barefoot in Horseshoe Bay, renowned Australian landscape painter Peter Lawson’s Fine Art Gallery in Arcadia, MaryAnne Law’s Boutique Photography, Designer and Goldsmith Peter Stein’s Island Jewellery, both in Nelly Bay, and the M.I. Artspace cooperative gallery located on the mall in Picnic Bay.

For those who seek out hidden talent the map will also feature home studios and assorted other venues where the public can meet a variety of resident artists. Art Safari exhibitors will include painters Sylvia Hayes, Martina Eliza and Averil Thomas; clothing designer and textile artist Sue Cox, milliner Jayne Turnbull, printmaker Julie Stark and Ikebana floral artist Rhonda Teitz.

Sylvia Hayes sketching

At the end of the Safari, all artists and art lovers are invited to attend a cocktail party in Horseshoe Bay, at Barefoot Art Food Wine. It will be hosted by artist Sasha Stafford and her husband David, an art lover himself as well as restaurateur, chef and wine connoisseur. Finger foods will be served for $10 a head. Barefoot is a licensed restaurant as well as an art gallery, featuring a fascinating array of locally made art.

Geoff of MaggieXposed Island Tours is offering a special 2 hour Art Safari tour with a souvenir book included for $30. Spaces are limited, so booking is advised on 0403001286.

Photos: Louise Middleton

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