4 minute read
Hit the Trail
NEW ZEALANDERS HAVE ALWAYS PUNCHED WAY ABOVE their weight in the creativity stakes. From popular music to fine art, we’ve produced some world-class talents, but with typical Kiwi modesty most of our creative types tend to fly under the radar, out of sight and out of mind. This spring Kāpiti has the perfect remedy for that – and it’s another excellent excuse to spend a weekend (or two) over on the Coast.
For nearly 20 years, the Kāpiti Arts Trail has been shining a light on the many artists that call Kāpiti home – and actually taking you into their homes! Over two weekends – 2-3 and 9-10 November 2019 – the Kāpiti Arts Trail opens the doors of more than one hundred studios, workspaces and galleries for an unrivalled glimpse of some truly great creative talents. From the traditional to the cutting edge, soul-soothing or challenging, comfortable or provocative, decorative, awe-inspiring or simply functional, there is literally something for everyone: ceramics, painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, carving and more, pretty much every creative form can be found on the Trail.
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“The Arts Trail started off nearly 20 years ago as a celebration of the huge range of artistic talent on the Coast, opening the doors of our artists’ studios to the community,” says Rosie Salas, Arts, Museums and Heritage Advisor at Kāpiti Coast District Council. “It’s remained a wonderful community event, but as one of our visitors said last year, has grown from strength to strength, attracting visitors from the greater Wellington region and all over the country. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend a weekend not just viewing art, but entering the creative spaces of the people who make it.”
WHAT SETS THE KĀPITI ARTS TRAIL APART
From most others is not only the huge range of art forms and styles it covers, but also the incredible natural setting that artists are working in. Many of the artists have moved to Kāpiti for the creative inspiration they gain from the bush-clad and birdsong-filled hills, the wide open beaches, and of course the iconic Kāpiti Island, and the rich cultural history of the district. Visitors to artists’ studios can often see for themselves the beautiful surroundings that the artists often reflect in their artworks and artforms.
“Art-lovers have the chance to see work from a host of artists, enter into the artist’s world and see their creative processes,” Rosie says. “This can be in the artist’s studio or in a gallery, and in one of our four ‘hubs’ – a larger venue where several artists have gathered specially for the Trail. We encourage our artists to demonstrate creating their artwork, which can be very exciting – last year, we had pot-throwing, jewellery-casting and tattoo demonstrations. This year, artists will be outside painting murals, demonstrating fine woodwork art, using a printing press, and many other forms of creating artworks. The fantastic thing is that you get to talk to the artist about how they are forming their work and what drives and inspires them. This is often the reason visitors end up walking away with a lovely, interesting piece of art for their home or a gift!”
With more than 100 artists taking part in the Trail, it can be hard to decide what to take in, but as Rosie says the Trail has been fine tuned for a user friendly experience.
Elisabeth Vullings
“You can pick up our beautifully-designed Kāpiti Arts Guide from Kāpiti libraries and service centres, and many other locations throughout the greater Wellington region, and also in i-SITES in neighbouring districts. The Guide lists all the artists and sites you can visit, and has maps you can use while planning or actually on the Arts Trail.
“You can also visit our website (search Kāpiti Arts Trail) to download a digital version of the Guide, individual artists’ pages with more images, information about them, and links to their websites and Facebook pages. Each artist’s page has the artistic medium they work in, so if you like you can make your selection based on that. There’s also links to an interactive map you can use during the Arts Trail. And do follow us on Facebook and Instagram – Kāpiti Arts Trail – to see not only info about the artists but also what support packages local businesses might be putting up for visitors during the Arts Trail.”
Artists’ studios and the galleries and hubs are open on the Arts Trail from 10am to 5pm on each day of the Trail. Many of them are also open by appointment at other times during the year.
If you’re looking for the perfect weekend getaway with a difference, then you’ve found it on the Kāpiti Coast. It’s definitely time to hit the trail.
