THE MERCURY BAY ART ESCAPE is an artists collective centred around the beautiful coastal area of Mercury Bay which encompasses the towns of Tairua, Hahei, Hot Water Beach, Whitianga, Kuaotunu and Otama Beach.
2012 ART ESCAPE TASTE OF THE TOUR SHOWCASE EXHIBITION
33 of our artists will be exhibiting at the Showcase Exhibition 2012 and many artists will have their studios open by appointment during the exhibition so you will be able to contact them to make a time to visit, chat and purchase work directly from them.
Buy your tickets early for this event - we sell out every year and with a happy crowd of artists, residents and holiday makers wanting to hear one of New Zealands most popular contemporary artists the 2012 Taste of the Tour will be a popular event.
2013 MERCURY BAY ART ESCAPE TOUR.The self drive tours of open artists studios has now become a biennial event with the next Tour happening in the summer of 2013. Sign up as a Member here so you get early news of this popular art event. 2013 ART ESCAPE LONG LUNCH. Many patrons have asked when this fun gourmet event is happening again! Planning is already under way for our third long Long Lunch in January 2013 so sign up here so you can be sure to get an invitation.
Outstanding art recognised at Taste of the Tour Exhibition 2011
Artists from both ends of the Mercury Bay Art Escape trail picked up the honours at the 2011 Taste of the Tour Exhibition. Tairua painter Paula McNeil’s work, The Potter’s Hand, was artist Michael Smither’s choice in the two-dimensional section; a knife by Kuaotunu craftsman Lloyd Franklin was ceramic tutor Bronwynne Cornish’s choice in the three-dimensional section; Otama painter Claire Elliott's painting, Silver Swell was chosen by art collector and patron James Wallace as his favourite work by an emerging artist; and Whenuakite painter Airdrie Hamilton’s work, Water Under the Bridge, won the People’s Choice award.
Whenuakite artist Airdrie Hamilton's painting Water Under the Bridge won the People's Choice Award in 2011
Otama painter Claire Elliott's painting was chosen by art collector and patron James Wallace as his favourite work by an emerging artist.
Kuaotunu knife maker Lloyd Franklin with the knife which Bronwynne Cornish (right) chose as her favourite three-dimensional object.
Tairua painter Paula McNeil with the painting which Michael Smither chose as his favourite two-dimensional work.
Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust Formed
Nationally recognised art collector and philanthropist Sir James Wallace has become the first patron of the newly-formed Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust. Sir James donated $1000 to the trust, presenting the gift at the opening of the 2011 Art Escape at Hot Waves Cafe, Hot Water Beach, on February 25, 2011.
The trust has been formed to make art lovers and art buyers throughout New Zealand aware of the richness, quality and eclectic character of the art scene in Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula. read more • about the trust
Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust Formed