Take a look behind the studio door as 53 incredible local artists from Mount Alexander Shire invite you inside for the Artists Studio Walk 2026.
Castlemaine Art Museum and Friends of Castlemaine Art Museum have joined forces to host the walk, which coincides with this year’s Castlemaine State Festival. They have curated an engaging pocket guide for their inaugural event to help you on your journey.
An amazing opportunity to visit artists in their natural habitats and connect with what’s happening in the maker spaces.
CAM’s chief operating officer, Leslie Gurusinghe, said many of the artists included in the walk had exhibited at CAM in the past.
“It’s a good time to go and see this art locally before they sell for millions of dollars in different galleries and at Sothebys,” he said.
“The walk is primarily in Castlemaine, and you can spiral out, like the artwork, but the surrounding towns are featured as well. “There is a range of different media, fine art, sculpture, photography and ceramics.
“I am planning to take a day off and visit as many as I can. We do suggest that CAM is the starting point for the walk, because CAM is the centre of all good art in Castlemaine, I believe. If you go street by street and go around Castlemaine, you will find all the weird and wonderful things on offer.”
Leslie told the Express that the walk aligned closely with their broader mission, to support artists, strengthen cultural participation and ensure that the museum remained deeply connected to the creative life of the community.
“Programs like this extend the museum beyond its walls and reinforce our role as a facilitator, advocate and partner in the region’s cultural ecosystem,” he said.
FOCAM president Russell Annear said the group was grateful to all the artists for their support of the walk.
“Not only does FOCAM want to support the gallery and see it thrive and prosper, but we also want to support local artists in the community both locally and further afield,” he said.
“We run regular artist talks to raise funds for CAM, which helps support exhibitions, but it is a great and educational experience for participants and artists.”
The 2026 Artist Walk runs from Thursday, March 19 — Sunday March 29 from 10am to 4pm.
Studios are located at Castlemaine, Elphinstone, Sandon, Walmer, Maldon and Newstead. Grab a copy of the program and maps at CAM, the Market Building or online at castlemaineartmuseum.org.au/exhibitions/artist-s-studio-walk-2026.
