Sauerbier House marks 10 years
Published on 23 December 2025
Before the City of Onkaparinga decided to restore it in the mid-2010s, the late-1890s built Sauerbier House had fallen into disrepair, half-hidden by vegetation.
One of Port Noarlunga’s first buildings, the typical Victorian-style house features bull-nosed perimeter verandahs, and was originally the home of George Sauerbier and his family, with him and his wife having lived there alongside the Onkaparinga River until George’s death in 1936.
The council’s decision decades later – which followed the house’s eventual state heritage-listing – not only revived the derelict building, but has opened it to thousands of visitors, inspired countless site-responsive artworks, and fostered almost 200 artists from the local area, interstate and abroad.
2025 marks 10 years for Sauerbier House as an Onkaparinga cultural destination, which publicly presents and supports the development of contemporary artworks and site-responsive studio projects.
The house sustains an interactive artist-in-residence program alongside a vibrant exhibition schedule delivered as residency outcomes and standalone exhibitions.
Local and visiting artists at all stages of their career can capitalise on opportunities to create new works and exhibit in a professional and supportive environment.
Interactions with resident artists, locals and visitors are offered through regular exhibition launches, open studio sessions, artist’s talks and skill-sharing workshops and events.
Long-time Sauerbier House Coordinator, Jaynie Langford, says reaching the 10-year milestone is a significant achievement, as the centre continues to support and elevate the understanding of contemporary arts practice within Onkaparinga.
“The programs we’ve sustained at Sauerbier House now hold a significant place in the South Australian arts ecology,” she says.
“The sought-after residencies offer a unique opportunity to share the nuance of studio-based research with the wider community while offering professional contemporary artists a rare opportunity to immerse and reflect on our incredible city.
“Indeed, our city is – in turn – honoured and celebrated through a myriad of creative responses.”
And those creative responses aren’t just exhibited in Onkaparinga – the works of many artists-in-residence have gone on to win major prizes, become finalists or gain significant opportunities from works they’d created during their stint beside the Onkaparinga River, helping springboard careers.
Current artist-in-residence David Archer, whose exhibition INLET SPIRIT is open until Saturday 31 January, says he had the pleasure of meeting a host of colourful characters during his residency.
“Particularly the many fascinating personalities who fish along the river,” he says.
“Port Noarlunga has revealed itself as a place layered with narrative. My new body of work is mostly interactive pieces that are built from a blend of observation, imagination, and a little creative embellishment.
“It has been an uplifting and productive time for me… but most of all, it has been fun!”
To see what’s on and coming soon at Sauerbier House, visit the council’s website. You can also follow Sauerbier House on Facebook and Instagram.
Pictured
Images 1–4: Sauerbier from the front, inside and back, taken shortly after its restoration.
Image 5: The inaugural winners of the City of Onkaparinga SALA Artist Residency, Jackie Saunders and Laura Wills at Sauerbier House ahead of their open studio event in 2024.
Image 6: Never Washed Up!, 2025, mixed media, 11 x 11 x 21 cm. Image courtesy artist, David Archer.