Artists Open Studios begin this weekend
Friday March 3 - Sunday, March 5
Friday March 10 - Sunday March 12
By Marion Manson
Forty artists around the Mercury Bay area from Matarangi to Tairua are busy finishing work, preparing their studios and getting ready to welcome visitors to their studios over the next two weekends, 4-5 and 11-12 March, 10am – 4pm.
The annual Mercury Bay Art Escape Open Studios is an opportunity for visitors to see the artists creative space, view new work, chat to the artists and purchase work.
Media to view include from painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography, drawing, jewellery, mosaics, stained and fused glass, silk painting, art books and botanical inks, so there is something for everyone.
All studios are marked with a bright blue Art Escape flag.
Collect an Art Guide at any Information Centre with member’s details and maps or view on our new website and plan your trip around the peninsula including our great cafes, breweries, scenery and hospitality.
Dave Fowell’s Whitianga studio includes a sculpture garden with over 20 sculptures, his studio has more than 150 paintings, including his 100 day portrait project, and you are invited to partake in tea and Greek coffee and delicious home baking.
Marion Manson of Cooks Beach will be demonstrating the magic of Botanical Inks at her studio at 28 Riverview Drive.
Time your visit to Kaimarama Potter Claire Bryer’s studio on Saturday 4 March at 11.00am for a kiln opening and she will be demonstrating each weekend 12:00-2:00pm.
Whenuakite potter Alan Rhodes will be busy on the pottery wheel both weekends.
Allow extra time on your visit to Warwick Lidgard’s Rings Beach Studio to enjoy a stroll around his studio garden and orchard including a very large Pohutukawa tree.
Due to the cyclone damage on the Blackjack Road, Opito artist Gaylene Lonergan’s studio at 11 Ohinau Drive is only open to people in Opito and Otama. More of her stunning paintings on silk will be displayed in Hahei at Jane Parson’s Gallery, 49 Sarahs Hill.
Michael Smithers’exhibition will now be at Whitianga Waterways Office, 101 Joan Gaskell Drive, Whitianga.
Vanessa MacKay’s Coroglen studio will not be open but some of her work will be at Sally Samins, Hot Water Beach Studio.
Call in to Hot Waves café, Hot Water Beach to see the Showcase exhibition that includes one work from each member. It is a great starting point for your visits. Vote for your favourite work and the artist with the most votes receives the coveted People’s Choice Award sponsored by Kaizen at Go Vino, Cooks Beach.
A popular event is Artist in Residence between the Open Studio weekends. This will be held again at Hot Waves Cafe 7-10 March 9.00am – 4.00pm so pop in to see artists working in their medium and have a chat.
For updates see www.mercurybayartescape.com
Gala Opening
6:00pm, Friday 3 March at Hot Waves Café where a showcase exhibition of the artists is featured as well as guest speaker, Lynda Hallinan, author of The Joy of Gardening.
This is an eagerly awaited evening on the peninsula arts calendar for visitors to meet the artists, view the Showcase Exhibition and have first opportunity to purchase art work.
Tickets $55/person. Go to website to purchase: www.mercurybay-artescape.com/events
The exhibition at Hot Waves Café, Hot Water Beach will be open for the public from 5 March to 11 April, 2023.
Caption: All studios are marked with a bright blue Art Escape flag