As the last signs come down and studio doors close, a quiet settles in after the buzz of the trail. The steady stream of visitors slows, conversations fade, and artists return to their own spaces. It’s a moment to reflect on the energy, the connections, and the shared celebration of creativity. But for many, this isn’t an ending—it’s a beginning. During the trail, something shifts. What is often a solitary practice opens outward. Conversations between artists—sometimes brief, sometimes...

The Mahurangi Artist Studio Trail 2026 wound up on Sunday, 8th February, after ten vibrant days that included the holiday weekend celebrating Waitangi Day. What a trail it has been. This year the Trail grew by a third — a jam-packed map of studios, shared venues, pop-ups and exhibitions that reflected not only an increase in numbers, but an increase in confidence. There were many new artists, new studios, and fresh energy woven throughout the region. Visitors commented again and again on...

Each year, the fundraising artist challenge invites artists to step sideways from their usual practice — to experiment, improvise and respond to a shared constraint. This year’s theme, LESS WASTE: More Art , did just that, asking artists to reconsider materials, value, and the quiet stories embedded in what we discard. Juliana Austen's recreated Wind Chime At the heart of the challenge is a simple but provocative premise: every artwork is sold at a fixed price of $50. That price becomes...