OUR CREATIVE SPACES: Exploring the Open Studios for MAST2026 Part 2: Continuing the Journey

Head along the beautiful coastal route to Leigh where 2 venues offer work from 5 artists including husband and wife duo, Andrea and Derek Ventling at Venue 32 - MAST2026

With the trail about to open, January is the time to map out your route — or leave room for detours and discoveries. From coastal settlements to country halls, the diversity of spaces is matched only by the diversity of voices within them.

VENUE 18 & 19 – SANDSPIT

At Venue 18, Pauline Gough enjoys the freedom her spacious studio allows. “I love that my studio space is roomy which means I can comfortably paint big!” she says, though she admits that space can quickly fill with clutter. With a move on the horizon, she knows she will miss it. “Pretty sure I’m going to miss my beautiful studio!”

Nearby at Venue 19, Kathy Stevenson and Daniella Rubi have taken over a generously gifted work shed. “We were not even forced to put his arm up his back,” Kathy laughs, referring to her husband’s willingness to give up the space. The shed sits at the entrance to their two-acre property, surrounded by native bush and birds. “There’s always music and a great atmosphere,” Kathy says. “We look forward to entertaining you in our new shed space!!”

VENUE 22, 23 & 24 – SNELLS BEACH

In the lead up to the art trail, Sally Thrush's studio in Snells Beach reflects her industrious vibrant and creative art practice.

At Venue 22, Sally Thrush embraces the chaos of creativity. “Out of chaos comes creativity,” she says. “My studio is my happy space and I aim to be in it daily, even if I just think about art or wave and chat to people passing by.”

Just along the coast at Venue 23, Margaret Needham’s garage becomes a studio once the car is moved out. “It becomes an art studio when I have chosen some classical music and put on an old paint-spattered apron,” she explains. In that moment, an everyday space transforms into something quietly magical.

A little further along at Venue 24, visitors are in for a special treat at 21 Hewson Drive, where Susanne Morning is being joined by fellow Network artists Shelly Grey and Maureen Roke as late entries to the trail. Neighbours Susanne and Shelly have teamed up to create a charming Garden Gallery at the back of Susanne’s section, showcasing Maureen's delicate watercolours and expressive acrylic paintings alongside Shelly's lovely bespoke jewellery. Together, the three artists offer a welcoming and diverse creative experience, making this a must-visit stop where visitors can enjoy the work of three artists in one beautiful setting.

VENUE 25, 27 & 30 – SCOTTS LANDING, MATAKANA & OMAHA FLATS

Juliana Austen hiding behind her clay caked hands has promised to wash before she greets you at Venue 25, Scotts Landing during the art trail.

At Venue 25 in Scotts Landing, guest artist Juliana Austen shares space with Glenda Hopkins. Juliana’s own studio is famously small. “It is a repurposed laundry! There is only room for me and the cat — she gets the chair!” With such tight quarters, she values the chance to share. “Because my space is so small I am sharing on the Art Trail which I am very much looking forward to.”

In Matakana at Venue 27, Tony White’s studio is a place of constant negotiation between materials and ideas. “The work area gets messy, with sanders, jig saws and hand tools jostling for space,” he says. “Yes, it’s a happy place, mostly, but results actually come from diligence and hard work — the perennial tug of war between reflection and action.”

On the Tawharanui Peninsula, Venue 30 – Vitality Art Studio, Nicola Bedford welcomes visitors into a vibrant resin-filled space. “Creativity quite literally spills onto the floor in shimmering puddles,” she says. Alongside finished works, visitors can see pieces in progress and take part in hands-on workshops. “Whether you’re curious about the process or simply drawn to colourful, tactile art, my studio is a place to discover, unwind and get inspired.”

 Tony White is one of the many new artists joining the art trail for the first time at Venue 27, Matakana

VENUE 31 & 32 – POINT WELLS & LEIGH

At Venue 31, Point Wells Hall, Lou Dews and seven other artists have created a shared hub. “I was determined to exhibit at MAST 2026,” Lou explains. “This is going to be a really exciting experience… the inspiration that can come from shared conversations and time spent with other artists.” With weekend cafés, EFTPOS and an eclectic group of creatives, the hall is designed to welcome visitors to linger.

The trail concludes beautifully at Venue 32 in Leigh, where Derek and Andrea Ventling’s home and studio are infused with coastal energy (see cover photo above). “We were keen on creating an elegant, light-filled gallery space to really showcase finished works,” they say. From workshop to gallery, they imagine creativity as something that “flows up from the sea and the coast, swirls throughout the rooms of our home, and manifests its expression on these gallery walls.”

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT ELSE IS ON

Beyond the open studios themselves, MAST2026 offers a lively programme of events that bring artists and visitors together. The trail officially launches with Opening Night at Trail Central, Warkworth Town Hall, on Thursday 29 January, 6–8pm, with live music by Stu J and refreshments served — a festive way to begin the journey and meet artists from across the region. While you’re out exploring, be sure to pick up your Trail Passport and collect a stamp at every venue you visit. Visitors with the most stamps will go into the draw to win a $500 Mahurangi Artist Network art voucher, redeemable towards purchasing or commissioning an artwork from a Network artist. You can also vote for your most memorable artist on the trail, with the winning artist receiving a $250 Gordon Harris voucher. The much-loved Fundraising Challenge for artists returns this year with the theme Less Waste: More Art, featuring works made from recycled or found materials — many of the $50 artworks are snapped up on Opening Night. Also running throughout the trail is the Members Showcase Exhibition at Trail Central, offering another chance to see the breadth of talent in one place. Adding to the experience are three free and one subsidised Creative Workshops held during the trail. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential — for the full session details, dates and booking information and links. https://www.mahurangiartistnetwork.com/get-hands-on

AN INVITATION

MAST2026 is more than a collection of open studios — it’s a celebration of creativity, connection and community across the Mahurangi region. From opening night conversations and shared exhibitions, to stamping your Trail Passport, voting for a favourite artist, discovering small $50 fundraising artworks, or taking part in a hands-on workshop, there are many ways to engage beyond simply viewing art. Whether you choose a carefully planned route or follow your curiosity day by day, the trail invites you to slow down, enjoy the landscape, meet the artists, and immerse yourself fully in the experience.

Go to Online Trail Map

Get ready to discover all the artists and venues available using the MAST2026 online trail map, where you can view all open studios and venues, discover the artists, and check individual opening days and times before you set out.