The Heart of Mountain Country Exhibition
CELEBRATING PORONGORUP EXHIBITION

SHOWCASING PORONGORUP RANGE ART by The MOUNTAIN COUNTRY ART ARTISTS

Opening May 9th 10:00am
Open daily 8am to 5pm until 24th May
At PORONGORUP ART STUDIO
Next to the Porongurup Inn, Shop & Tea Rooms
1972 Porongurup Road, Porongurup WA 6324

The Granite in Our Veins:

Celebrating the Spirit of the Porongurup! The Porongurup Range is more than just a geological landmark to me; it is the horizon of my history. My story began in the shadow of those ancient granite peaks, growing up on Bolganup Road where the mountain’s moods dictated the rhythm of our days. Decades later, life brought me full circle to the south side of the range, living on the beautiful Akora Farm—now known as Porongurup Farm. Having looked up at these peaks from both sides, I’ve come to realize that the range isn't just something you look at; it’s something you feel.

It was this deep-seated connection to the land that brought Maggie Shanklin to my door. Maggie had a vision: she wanted to gather a collective of artists to capture the essence of the Porongurup Range as part of its prestigious 100-year celebration. As a member of the Mountain Country Artists, I didn't need any convincing. The idea of translating the rugged beauty of our backyard onto canvas was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

We organized a Plein Air painting day at Porongurup Farm, and the energy was electric. There is something transformative about painting in the open air, with the wind carrying the scent of eucalypts and the light shifting across the face of the Devils Slide. We sat amongst the rolling hills, a small army of easels and brushes, trying to bottle the magic of the landscape. As the sun danced over the granite outcrops, each artist found their own unique dialogue with the mountain. But every creation needs a home. To bring our vision to the public, Maggie approached Sayah Drummond, who generously opened the doors to her beautiful new art studio space. To make the celebration even richer, we invited three "Friends of Mountain Country Artists" to join the core group, adding new textures and perspectives to our collective tribute.

Now, after months of inspiration and hard work, we are ready to share the results. This exhibition is a love letter to the Porongurup Range—an exploration of its scale, its history, and its enduring presence in our lives.

We are incredibly excited to present this show. Whether you have lived beneath these peaks your whole life or are discovering their majesty for the first time, we hope you feel the same pulse of inspiration that guided our brushes. We invite you to join us in celebrating the heart of our high country. We hope you love the exhibition as much as we loved creating it!

By Heather Roberts