This summer, Southern Ocean Lodge on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island is hosting its inaugural Artists-in-Residence program, inviting guests to experience Kangaroo Island through the eyes of the island’s most inspiring creatives. Running through to April 2026, the series brings painters, photographers, sculptors, and jewellers into the lodge, offering relaxed opportunities to meet the makers, observe their process, and see the landscape through a fresh artistic lens. Complimentary for in-house guests, the program adds a quiet, delightful layer of storytelling to time on this remarkable coast.

Much like the artists’ program at sister lodge Longitude 131°, Southern Ocean Lodge hosts one artist at a time. Guests may spot sketching, pressing native flora, or refining sculptures inspired by offshore reefs, with informal viewings and occasional acquisitions creating meaningful connections with the island’s creative community.

Featured Artists and Residencies 2025–26:

  • Janine Mackintosh – Mandalas from native flora and found objects. 1–7 Dec 2025, 9–14 Feb, 16–22 Apr 2026
  • Linda Irwin – Macro, landscape, bird, and night photography. 24–27 Dec 2025, 1–13 Mar 2026
  • Patti Blucher – Jewellery and paintings from reclaimed metals. 18–23 Dec 2025, 10–16 Jan 2026
  • Maggie Welz – Botanical textiles and watercolours. 1–7 Feb, 15–22 Mar 2026
  • Jane Louise Evans – Printmaking and mixed media inspired by local wildlife. 14–16, 28–31 Dec 2025, 1–8 Jan 2026
  • Dave Clarke – Bronze and copper sculptures of marine life. 17–31 Jan 2026
  • Peter Hastwell – Photography, print, and recycled-material artworks. 15–28 Feb 2026
  • Jennifer (Jenni) Macauley – Watercolour, gouache, acrylic, and oil paintings of the island’s light and coastal moods. 23–31 Mar 2026

Each residency transforms Southern Ocean Lodge into a living gallery, offering guests a rare chance to engage with artists and experience the island’s landscapes, seascapes, and wildlife through a new, creative perspective.

Discover more.