Mercury Bay Art Escape

A record number of artists along the north-eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula are preparing for the fifth Mercury Bay Art Escape which will be held over two long weekends in late February and early March.  Forty-four artists and seven galleries are taking part in the event this year. Artists from Tairua to Otama Beach will open their studios, and galleries will showcase local artists’ work.  Participants include leading painters Michael Smither, Tom Mutch, George Baloghy, Rachel Olsen, Paula McNeill, Lucy Horne and Souzie Speerstra, and sculptors Chris Charteris and Rick Swain as well as a diverse and exciting range of other established and emerging artists.  In all there are 17 new participants including a flax weaver and a knife-maker for the 2011 event.

The self-drive arts tour provides a rare chance for people to see artists at work in their own studios and discuss their art with them. Along the way visitors can enjoy the stunning environment of the Coromandel Peninsula. Artists are located in some of the peninsula’s most beautiful spots, including Tairua, Whenuakite, Hahei, Hot Water Beach, Cooks Beach, Whitianga, Kuaotunu and Otama.  Artists open their doors at 10am on Friday, 25 February. 

At 5:30 pm of that evening, Hot Waves Café in Hot Water Beach will host the Opening Reception/Taste of the Tour exhibition - the best in food, drink, music and art!  The exhibition features one work from each of the participating artists and galleries, most of whom will be in attendance for the evening celebration.  Favorite works will be selected by nationally honored philanthropist and arts patron James Wallace who will name his favorite “emerging” artist; leading ceramic artist, Bronwynne Cornish who will select her favorite 3D work;  and nationally acclaimed artist, Michael Smither who will announce his Personal Choice favorite in 2D work.  The works will be on display at Hot Waves throughout the Art Escape from 25 February through 6 March.  A People’s Choice Award as voted by all visitors to Hot Waves during the course of the event will be announced on the web site, Mercury Bay Art Escape Coromandel Art Tour Art Event Coromandel Peninsula NZ.  Former Governor-General & Auckland Mayor,  Dame Cath Tizard will be a guest speaker at the opening along with Thames-Coromandel Mayor Glenn Leach.

The event is titled the Opening Reception/Taste of the Tour precisely because it provides a one stop reception forum at which patrons can meet the artist, view a favorite work from each one, AND enjoy the best in food and music, all in one beautiful evening.  Ample culinary delights will be prepared by Hot Waves proprietor Mary 

 and her very able staff.  Art Escape sponsor and host of the first and very intriguing Scarecrow competition, Cathedral Cove Macadamias, will provide selected macadamia products for use in Mary’s food selections.  A glass of the areas finest wine will be provided to all guest compliments of sponsors John & Lorraine Donelley of Mercury Bay Estate.  Last but not least, the evening will feature some of the best music in the Coromandel by Terry Bright and Bill Kneebone of Beach Culcha.  

Tickets for the combined Opening/Taste of the Tour are only $40 and are available at Hots waves Cafe, the Whitianga iSite and on line at www.mercurybayartescape.com.

Of course there will also be music, fantastic food and fun at several venues throughout the two weekends including Mercury Bay Estate on Saturday 26 February from 3 7 pm; The Eggsentric Cafe on Friday 4 March from 8 pm and the Grange Road Cafe from 8:30 pm. 

An 80-page full color, spiral bound booklet titled “The Guide”, profiles the artists, galleries, cafes, events and some of the areas best accommodations.  Also included are detailed maps of the entire tour.  The Guide is available  online at www.mercurybayartescape.com and at various outlets in north-eastern Coromandel for the bargain price of $8.

The 2011 Art Escape is the first event run under the auspices of the newly formed Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust.  This charitable trust offers six levels of membership: Friend $8, Supporter $50, Sustainer $100, Art Lover $250, Patron $1000, Benefactor $5000. Donors receive a range of benefits determined by the level of membership.  The include one or more of the following: a free copy of The Guide; a framable A2 poster titled “Exhale” by Jacqueline Elley, winner of last year’s the People’s Choice Award;  a 100% cotton T-Shirt printed with an original design by painter, Michael Smither;    

and a chance to be a winner of the original T-Shirt painting donated by Micheal Smither if you become a patron or benefactor of the Trust.

James Wallace will become the first patron of the trust when he presents his gift of $1000 at the Opening Reception. 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. It will also be a repository for funds generated to support arts-related events.  Organizing committee chairman Jerry Thoma, says the trust will help to more rapidly advance the vision of the Art Escape as the most respected open studio art tour in New Zealand.

The Mercury Bay Art Escape is grateful to all of it’s very generous sponsors but wishes to make special mention of major cash sponsors, Bayleys Real Estate, Whitianga, Coromamdel Fm, Thames, and Whitianga Waterways, Whitianga.

http://www.mercurybayartescape.com

Posted: Mon 21 Feb 2011

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