Artist Pippin Drysdale in her Fremantle studio. Drysdale will open her studio as part of ‘Artwalk Freo’ in May 2024. Image: Supplied.
When WA artist Ian de Souza and his wife Ros decided to open their Fremantle home for their first artists’ open house event and walking tour in their creative-enclave neighbourhood, they weren’t entirely sure who would show up on their doorstep.
And aside from generating strong sales for the artists – art worth between $50,000 and $70,000 has been sold each time – Artwalk Freo has also taught the de Souzas that their grassroots initiative has a number of other vital flow-on effects for the art market overall.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
