Coffee cups perk interest in art

Yahava and the Margaret River Region Open Studios have teamed up to provide new takeaway coffee cup designs to promote the exhibition which runs from April 27 to May 12.

The concept of the exhibition is to invite art lovers into the authentic studios where artists have created their works to offer a further insight into the creative process. More than 100 painters, sculptors, illustrators, jewellers, printmakers, glassblowers, ceramicists, photographers and furniture makers are participating.

This year 24 artists are throwing open their studio doors for the first time.

The branding design was created by Margaret River graphic designer and artist Emily Jackson from an idea by Eagle Bay artist Dorothy Davies inspired by modern fashion and native wildlife.

“I wanted to build the interest with an explosion of colour with solid contrast and texture with the addition of local wildlife which shows the variety of the event,” Ms Jackson said.

“The hot pinks, lime greens and bright oranges are in fashion right now so we wanted to use them layered upon one another without highlighting just one style or one artist,” Mrs Davies said.

Both women are participating in this year’s Margaret River Region Open Studios which uses art exhibit spaces from Busselton to Augusta.

There will be 60,000 Open Studios printed coffee cups used in Yahava’s two KoffeeWorks and eight Kwik Koffee Drive Thrus and Kiosks.

Yahava Koffeeworks director John Batty said the initiative was about supporting the local arts community.

“It’s a fantastic fit for us as it’s a driving event and we have several popular stores in Perth that can promote the event,” he said.

Margaret River Region Open Studios exhibition is free to attend and bookings are not required.