ARTWALK FREO will once again grace the streets of Fremantle and its neighbouring suburbs in May. 

Local and internationally acclaimed artists will welcome visitors into their studios, homes, and creative spaces, many for the very first time. 

What began as a single weekend affair will now extend over three weekends starting from May 4 and 5. 

Organiser Ros de Souza has seen first-hand the positive impact Artwalk Freo has had on artists and the local community since its successful inaugural event in 2014. 

The entire event is designed to explore on foot with each route approximately four kilometres long and tickets starting at $20. 

• Ian de Souza and Sarah Abbott are opening their studios.

Art enthusiasts and the broader community are warmly welcomed to wander through the streets, seizing a rare chance to discover the hidden artistic gems of the port city and experience the creative process up close and personal. 

The first weekend is based in South Fremantle, then Artwalk moves to White Gum Valley, then concludes in the Monument Hill precinct through to Holland Street accessed via the new highway underpasses. 

Over 22 artists will be opening their homes and studio spaces this year including the renowned Ian de Souza, national treasure Pippin Drysdale as well as acclaimed ceramic artist Sandra Black, visual artist and curator Jo Darbyshire, mixed media artist Eveline Kotai and sculptors and public art creatives Arif and Audrey Satar.

“We have come out of a five-year hiatus,” Ms de Souza told the Herald 

“The past few years have been challenging for artists and the community as a whole, but Artwalk Freo is a testament to our resilience and creativity.

The inaugural walk in 2014 had a budget of just $400 and the four artists involved lived near each other by the monument, but for the comeback Ms de Souza said they decided to go all out and involve all three areas.

Previously they’d avoided going near South Fremantle because the walk clashed with an architecture event, but that appears to be in a permanent hiatus.

She said this year the event is ticketed for the first time.

“Previously we’ve had grants, and we’re incredibly appreciative of what that helped us to achieve, but we really wanted to see if we could self-fund the event.”

Ms de Souza said what had struck her most about this year’s event was bringing together artists who were well known in art circles, but hadn’t necessarily met each other, and she hopes some interesting collaborations might emerge.

Artwork will be available to the public for purchase directly through the artists at each studio.

The artwalk kicks off the May 4/5 weekend from 10am till 4pm and runs till Sunday May 19. 

For more information or to purchase tickets head to http://www.artwalkfreo.com or find more information on their socials @artwalkfreo on Instagram and Facebook.