Heysen | The Cedars

The studio's of Hans and Nora Heysen in the The Cedars are Australia's oldest artist's studio's.

Some 200 original works of art can be seen in changing displays in the studios and the house.

All visitors are welcome to spend time in the charming garden that changes with the seasons, or to wander along the Artist's Walk and discover some of Heysen's favoured painting sites.

The Cedars - House
In August 1912, Hans Heysen purchased The Cedars which had been built as a colonial style villa in the 1870s.

In 1919, and also in the early 1920s, the Heysens renovated and updated their home.

It has changed very little since that time. The rooms are filled with the furniture, textiles, objects and personal items belonging to the Heysen family.

Visitors are welcome to join a guided tour of the main rooms, where the Federation era "Arts and Crafts" décor allow everyone to experience the lifestyle of another age.

And of course there are opportunities to view many original works of art by Hans Heysen, Nora Heysen, and other artists that are represented in The Cedars collection.

Hans Heysen's studio
Hans Heysen's studio - the Nations oldest artist's studio in Australia available for viewing - is located just a 5 minute leisurely stroll from The Cedars shop.

With its Pinus Radiata guardians, the studio has a splendid northerly aspect and 180° views to the stands of eucalypts and the rolling valley and hills.

Hans' studio may be visited at any time during opening hours on a self-guided tour, or as part of a guided tour.

The studio, with its enormous window in the south-facing wall, was designed by architects Conrad & Conrad, in collaboration with Heysen.

It was erected by Hahndorf builder, William Pain, from mainly local materials and was finished by the end of February, 1913 at the cost of £400.

The heritage building remains intact and extremely well preserved. Furniture, art equipment and other artefacts are in place, and visitors stand on the rugs that Hans Heysen stood on to paint his well-loved works.

Nora Heysen's studio
Nora Heysen's studio is in the oldest building at The Cedars, an example of 1860s South Australian colonial rural architecture. It had a variety of residential and agricultural uses before Hans Heysen purchased the property.

On his arrival in August 1912, Hans cleared the space and used it as his own studio until March 1913, when his purpose-built studio on the hillside was completed. Nora's studio comprises two rooms, and measures approximately 80 square metres.

Nora Heysen (1911-2003) made this studio her own when she was studying art in Adelaide from 1926 to 1933. Nora used funds from her first sale to install the sky-light window. The artist is best known for her still life works, portraiture and figure studies.

In 1938, based in Sydney, Nora Heysen became the first woman awarded the Archibald Prize for Portraiture, and in 1943 was honoured to be the first female commissioned as an Australian war artist.

The Nora Heysen Foundation is custodian and owner of Nora Heysen's private collection, now held at The Cedars.
Heysen's works are in the collections of all major national, state and regional galleries in Australia.

The Cedars Café and Tea Rooms
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 - 4.30pm

Guided and Self-guided tours
The Studio of Nora Heysen
The Studio of Hans Heysen
The Artist's Walk
The Artist's Garden
The Coach House