Te Tara o te Whai/Coromandel Peninsula is home to a diverse range of artists and creative people. Whether you are a creative yourself or an art enthusiast keen to learn more about our local artists, the annual Open Studios ArtsTour is the perfect way to explore The Coromandel’s rich artistic environment.
This year a total of 36 artists based in Coromandel Town, PapaAroha, Colville and Te Kouma will open up their studio doors for two weekends in October – Sat 3 Oct/Sun 4 Oct and Sat 10 Oct/Sun 11 Oct.
There is nothing more special than visiting an artist’s studio, their place of creativity and inspiration – it’s an honour and a privilege to be welcomed into a creative space and to see firsthand where the artistic journey unfolds. It’s a unique chance to chat with the artist/s about their process, purchase artworks and learn more about their artistic motivations.
To kick off this free family friendly event is The ArtsTour Exhibition at the Hauraki House Gallery in Coromandel Town. Featuring artworks from a wide range of artists from the ArtsTour, and curated by artists John Eaglen and Sally Tennent-Brown, the exhibition is a great starting point to plan your tour.
Painter and sculptor John Eaglen, who is also on the organising committee for the Open Studios ArtsTour is excited for yet another year of visits from the general public:
“We’re really looking forward to this year’s Open Studios ArtsTour, and we’re equally delighted that we’re able to go ahead with the event in the wake of the recent change to Alert Levels. We hope that people of all walks of life will take advantage of this fun exploration of the Coromandel arts scene and join us for a unique adventure!”
Painter Kaye Anderson is also looking forward to this years ArtsTour:
“For me as an artist, the Arts Tour is a very enjoyable opportunity to talk to people about my work, what inspires a particular piece, the challenges I face and the all-absorbing nature of the creative process”, says Kaye. “Often it’s about sharing ideas with other artists – stimulating for both parties – and last year I particularly enjoyed some discussions with teenagers about their interpretations of my work and what they were doing in their art practice.”
Visitors can expect a huge diversity of work, from domestic pottery to furniture hewn from native timbers, thought-provoking sculpture, eye-catching screen-prints, rich oil paintings and delicate water colours.
Combine this with a warm welcome into artists’ studios, some buried in the bush, others with spectacular views of the Gulf.
“It’s an incredible privilege,” says one visitor, “to come into people’s homes and intimate creative spaces, to see the progression of their work over time, discover their enthusiasm and talk to them about their inspiration. To see their creative compost, the stuff they collect which creates an environment where ideas can grow.”
Book yourself in for a weekend visiting the Peninsula’s best artists – it’s guaranteed to inspire!
Key Details
What: ArtsTour Exhibition
Where: Hauraki House Gallery
When: Open daily from Oct 3 to Oct 11, 10am – 4pm
Meet the artists at the Gala Opening – Friday 2 October, 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Refreshments provided)
Pick up your free Open Studios ArtsTour Artist Guide from your local iSite, galleries and craft shops around the Coromandel and beyond, or download a copy from the ArtsTour website.
Participating artists include:
Allan Beaver, Amy Rogers, Barbara von Sieda, Bob Drummond, Charlene Scott, Chris Tryon, Deborah Hide-Bayne, Diann Cade, Donna Scatchard, Greg Taylor, Jan Linklater, Jan Panther, John Eaglen, Kay Olgivie, Kaye Anderson, Kevin Brett, Kim Brett, Lettecia Williams, Linda Sampson, Lisa Corston, Lynne Fenwick, Marian Cogswell, Mike Cogswell, Murray Rainey, Nici Greulich, Nigel Sparrow, Pete Sephton, Petra Meyboden, Raewyn Penrose, Robyn Lewis, Sally Tennent-Brown, Sam Ireland, Sharon Whittle, Tony Calsaferri, Uli Christofferson and Vaughan Udall.
The Open Studios ArtsTour is proudly supported by the Thames-Coromandel District Creative Communities Scheme and Richardsons Real Estate Ltd.
Article published 30 Sept 2020
