Art Trail Flower Seller, Abbey Merson

The Arts Festival is providing some great opportunities to get out and celebrate the creatives of the region over Labour Weekend.

Our visual artists have their studios open on Saturday and Sunday and have been gearing up their studios with exciting artwork to make you welcome at this beautiful time of year.

There’s the woodfiring at the Waiohiki Arts Village on SH50 at Taradale – always a fascinating glimpse of the power of fire and the effects of superheated ash on pottery when fired in a wood kiln. In addition, Waiohiki is a studio hub for a vibrant group of creative workers – live music and food can be enjoyed all weekend. 

At Arts Inc Heretaunga gallery in central Hastings see the exhibition ‘Remembering Roy’ (reviewed here on BayBuzz). In Napier, view ‘the Orbital’ exhibition in the Main gallery and ‘Pania – 70 years on’ at Creative Arts Napier gallery in Byron Street. This features Mei Whaitiri, the original model of our internationally recognised sculpture, Pania – ten artists have had the pleasure of interpreting Mei and Pania in their various different media.

So call up your friends and plan your weekend using the excellent Art Trail map showing the locations of open studios and galleries across the region. 

Our suggestions for making the best of your Saturday and Sunday are:

  • Pick up a map from I-sites, galleries and cafes around the region, or download here.*
  • Plan your visits – choose a specific area and include some refreshment breaks. There are great cafes and wineries along the way.
  • Check out the studios offering demos and workshops.
  • Take your time and don’t be too ambitious! You’ve got two whole days.
  • Fill up your car with friends and family for a fun day out.
  • Post highlights on social media and tell your friends.
  • Spend local. If you love it, buy it, for tomorrow it may be gone!  
  • Be COVID-wise: wear your mask and sign in.
  • Have a wonderful art-filled wander around the BAY!

* Kay Bazzard declares an interest – she is one of the artists listed in the Hawke’s Bay Art Guide 

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