Welcome to Arts Open 2024

Arts Open – Meet The Makers is an artist run event designed to celebrate and promote regional visual arts on Jaara Country in historic Castlemaine, Newstead, Maldon, Taradale and district. Offering a rare opportunity to visit studios and galleries within the shire and experience a behind the scenes, personal look at artists in their natural habitat, discuss their artwork and techniques, and purchase directly from the artist.

The Dja Dja Wurrung are the first peoples of Mount Alexander Shire. As Traditional Owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung have been custodians of the land and waters across the centuries and continue to perform age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. Beginning as a boomtown after gold was discovered in 1851, Castlemaine and the Mount Alexander Shire boasts a vibrant community with an eclectic mix of people and a broad range of historical, culinary, artistic and social opportunities for visitors.