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Longitude 131° Celebrates Ernabella Arts Partnership with Artists-in-Residence Events

2023 marks a special year for the First Nations Anangu artists at the Ernabella Arts Centre in South Australia’s Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands as its ceramics program and studio celebrates twenty years of operations.

It also marks a decade that Longitude 131° has worked in a multi-faceted partnership with the team at Ernabella Arts, ranging from commissioning artworks and ceramics for the main lodge, spa and guest tents and providing funding support for a ceramics tutor to an artists-in-residence program and once-in-a-lifetime day tours to visit the artists on their own home territory in the Ernabella studio.  

To celebrate, in 2023 Longitude 131° has confirmed a record number – five – of its popular artists-in-residence events, where artists travel from Ernabella to stay a few days at the lodge, to paint with a view to World Heritage-listed natural icons Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

This year’s artist-in-residence dates are:

  • March 20 – 24
  • May 22 – 26
  • July 17 – 21
  • September 18 – 22
  • November 20 – 24

It’s a chance for guests to see how the artists work and watch the intricate, vibrant works take shape in the cool surrounds of the main lodge, restaurant and bar where the artists’ completed artworks and ceramics make a vibrant complement to the red sands of the outback.

Located some 250km – or a 30-minute scenic flight – from Longitude 131°, Ernabella supplies the vibrant ceramics, canvases, tiles and spears (kulata) to the lodge which are seen in guest tents, in the Dune House bar and restaurant and Spa Kinara. Many artworks are also for sale in the boutique.

Proceeds from the artwork commissions and sales contribute significantly to the community’s income, ensuring the sustainable economic growth and preservation of the culture for its residents. Guests can also visit Ernabella by four-wheel-drive or charter flight by arrangement with the lodge.

Baillie Lodges has partnered with Ernabella Arts to provide $50,000 per annum to support a dedicated ceramist to mentor the artists with the aim of establishing commercially viable, sustainable enterprise. The partnership has been quickly successful and is documented in a video by filmmaker Oliver Nasht.

Baillie Lodges Director Hayley Baillie has driven the partnership with Ernabella as well as other Indigenous art communities in the region and sees the artists-in-residence program as another meaningful way to connect cultures.

“We’re very pleased that our relationship with Ernabella continues to grow and manifests in so many different ways, with opportunities in equal measure for our guests, the artists and the broader community at Ernabella,” Mrs Bailie said.

You can see more on art at the lodges here or to for further information or to book your stay at Longitude 131º, visit.