Free Self-Guided Tour Showcasing the Best of Coromandel’s Art Scene
For many years, the Coromandel Town area has had a reputation as a notable centre for arts and crafts in New Zealand. Talented artists are often drawn here from other areas not just for the beautiful views but also the lively art community. Every year since 2006, many of these artists have been opening up their studios on the first two weekends of October, for the Coromandel Open Studios Arts Tour.
This year the dates are 5th – 6th / 12th – 13th October. There is an exhibition running the full duration of the nine days. There are 36 local artists taking part with a wide range of mediums including painting, ceramics, glass, screen-printing, textiles, sculpture, jewellery, creative woodwork, photography, and everything in between. Seven of these artists are new to the Tour this year.
This is a FREE, self-guided tour where art lovers can visit studios, view the work, chat to the artists and see the working environment. The Tour ‘boundaries’ are the Kereta Hill to the south, Colville to the north and the Whangapoua Hill to the East; however, most of the artists are within an easy 10 minute drive of each other. A lot of the studios can even be reached on foot or by bike from Coromandel Town centre.
The exhibition, held at Hauraki House Gallery on Kapanga Road, is the perfect place to start. Each artist has at least one artwork on display so visitors can pick up a guide and get a feel for who they would like to visit before starting out. It runs right the way through from the 5th – 13th and is open from 10-4 pm each day. There is an opening night on Friday the 4th from 5.30 pm, for those who would like to come and meet the artists in a more casual setting. All are welcome.
For many of the artists, the Tour is the highlight of their creative year and they work extremely hard in the months leading up to it. If visitors are unable to make it during one of these two weekends some artists are open for the full nine days (look for the flags), and others are happy to receive visitors year round. Just look for their ‘open’ signs or grab a Coromandel Open Studios artist guide and give them a call.
Guides are available from Information Centres and various outlets across the peninsula. Or a digital version can be downloaded here.
There are plenty of accommodation options both in and around Coromandel Town for those wanting to make a weekend of it. Allow time to visit some of our great cafes and restaurants, take in the scenery and visit Driving Creek Railway while you’re here … This quirky spot, started by the late potter Barry Brickell, has been a creative hub in Coromandel Town for decades.
For further information on the Tour click here or like our Facebook page to get regular updates. We look forward to seeing you here.
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