Michael Lelliott Michael Lelliott

Wide Open Road 2025: An Invitation to Artists for Wilderness Immersion

A short from Wide Open Road 2024

Are you an artist seeking inspiration beyond the studio walls? Do you crave adventure, creative exchange, and the chance to immerse yourself in one of Australia’s most breathtaking landscapes? Wide Open Road 2025 is calling for a limited number of artists to join a unique, 10-day wilderness immersion from September 6th to September 16th, 2025—and this year, we’re venturing deep into the ancient, rugged beauty of the Northern Flinders Ranges, specifically the Arkaroola region.

What is Wide Open Road?

Wide Open Road is not just a trip—it’s an evolving artist experience. Each year, a changing group of artists journeys into Australia’s vast desert wilderness, responding to the environment’s unique character through diverse creative expressions. The project thrives on shared perspectives, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas that results in a multidisciplinary body of work—distinct in its individuality, yet resonant as a collective.

At its heart, Wide Open Road is about the transformative power of collaboration, connection, and the endless inspiration found in Australia’s wild heart.

2025: Destination Arkaroola

This year, we’ll be exploring the Arkaroola region—a place of ancient geology, dramatic ranges, and profound silence. It’s a landscape that invites deep observation and creative response, whether your practice is painting, photography, sculpture, writing, or any other form of artistic expression.

What to Expect

  • Self-Funded Adventure: Each artist is responsible for their own costs. We recommend one vehicle for every two artists, sharing transport expenses.

  • Camping & Self-Sufficiency: Prepare for camping in remote conditions. You’ll need to pack independently for food and water, though we’ll have a shared dinner roster—each participant will prepare a meal for the group during the journey.

  • Creative Exchange: Daily opportunities to share, discuss, and collaborate, with the landscape as both studio and muse.

  • Exhibition Opportunity: The journey culminates in a group exhibition at Radius Gallery, Hepburn, opening November 6th, 2025. Costs for the show will be shared among participants.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome artists from all disciplines who are:

  • Open to adventure and collaboration

  • Willing to embrace the challenges of remote travel and camping

  • Eager to respond creatively to the wild, ancient landscapes of the Flinders Ranges

Interested?

Read more about Wide Open Road here and if Wide Open Road 2025 sparks your curiosity and creative spirit, get in touch to discuss further:

Spaces are limited. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable creative journey into Australia’s wild heart.

Pack your art supplies, your sense of adventure, and your openness to inspiration. The road is wide open—will you join us?

Mungo Walk of the Emu | Lelliott | 2024

Mungo Elder | Phillip Edwards | 2024

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Michael Lelliott Michael Lelliott

Wide Open Road

L: Edwards and Lelliot, friends since their teens photographed in 1990 at the Victorian College of the Arts by Nick Fox /
R: Gandraburn, Edwards and Lelliott preparing to hit the wide open road in 2023.

Along with two other central Victorian artists I’m embarking on a road trip into the remote South Australian desert to discover new wild places, explore personal freedoms, and create new art. (Interestingly, Phillip and I have been friends since our early teens and studies in the same cohort at the Victorian College of the Arts.)

Phillip Edwards, Peter Gandraburn and I are inspired by the fauna and flora of the remote Strezleki desert, Lake Frome, and the Gammon ranges. We will be painting, drawing, and documenting our journey for an exhibition of new works from the ‘Wide Open Road’ at Bullarto Gallery, opening on Saturday, November 18th.

Hit the road with us and experience the wide open road through our eyes.

Follow our adventures on Instagram at @phillip.edwards.artist and @michaellelliott

Looking forward to hearing from you on the road and seeing you at the show!

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