words: Jessica Paton, photos: Ian Preece, sculpture: Chris Chatreris, mural: Rebekah Pearson
A new creative community project is taking shape in Kūaotunu, with plans for a Kūaotunu Village Art Trail that will connect local art, history and the landscape from Otama through to Rings Beach.
The vision is to link around 27 local sites, including artworks, creative spaces and places of historical significance, creating a trail that can be explored on foot, by bike or by car. Along the way, visitors will be able to discover not just the work itself, but the stories and people behind it.
The vision is to link around 27 local sites, including artworks, creative spaces and places of historical significance, creating a trail that can be explored on foot, by bike or by car. Along the way, visitors will be able to discover not just the work itself, but the stories and people behind it.
The trail is about more than simply finding artworks. Behind every piece is a story: who made it, why they made it and when. Together, the map and stories will help reveal the people, ideas and history that sit behind the creative landscape of Kūaotunu.
The project also reflects something that has long been part of the village’s identity. While Kūaotunu is well known as a destination for beaches, food and summer visitors, its creative community is just as much a part of what makes the village special.
A key part of the project will be a hand-painted Art Trail map, installed on a prominent wall at the Kūaotunu Store. The map will allow locals and visitors to see the trail at a glance and follow it at their own leisure.
The Art Trail aims to celebrate that creativity and make it more visible, while encouraging locals and visitors to slow down, explore and discover some of the art and stories tucked around the village and its surrounding landscape.
The project is also building on the success of the recent Kūaotunu Art Trail fundraiser, which brought the community together at the historic Kūaotunu Hall for an evening of live music from local duo SaltWood. The event helped raise funds for the trail while highlighting the enthusiasm and support already behind the project.
A small working group is now exploring the next steps, with the painted trail map forming an exciting first stage of a bigger vision for celebrating Kūaotunu as a creative village.
