Mercury Bay Art Escape Calling all new Artists

Creativity coming to the fore

There may be no new road as yet, but they say when people are isolated their creativity comes to the fore. Mercury Bay is certainly a great example of this, with the unpredictable weather and road closures, the community has shown incredible fortitude and uniquely Coromandel creative work is apparent. 

The 2024 Art Escape is planning some exciting community art events, including a plan to extend the annual artists-in-residence at Hot Waves Café. 

The annual Mercury Bay Art Escape event is held over the first two weekends in March, however there are members who are happy to open by appointment throughout the year, and offering opportunities to the accommodation sector to host art lovers visiting the area. 

How artists can join Art Escape 2024

The Mercury Bay Art Escape Committee are inviting artists to visit the Mercury Bay Art Escape website and click the 'Apply to Join Art Escape 2024' button on the home page. Applications must be completed and submitted before 31st August 2023.

Artists are encouraged to apply to join the Mercury Bay Art Escape 2024, all quality work will be considered.

What is the Qualifying Criteria for prospective Art Escape artists?

Mercury Bay Art Escape note the following criteria for artists to join:

• Art Escape operates on a collaborative, voluntary basis and members are asked to volunteer their time and skills on various activities and events, particularly leading up to Open Studios.
• Artists must live, have property, or have a genuine connection to the Mercury Bay geographical area of Art Escape. Area extends from Whangapoua in the north to Pauanui/Hikuai in the south. 
• The Art Escape Selection panel is looking for artists who demonstrate a high level of skill, originality of design and quality in the execution of their work, in any media.
• Artists are required to professionally prepare and display a good selection of work, a minimum of 8- 10 original works during open studios is recommended, majority of which must be recently completed and for sale.
• As part of the application process, the Selection Panel will meet with you in your studio. This is an opportunity to present your work discuss your processes and studio space.

Group memberships and applications are also available and more information can be found on the MBAE website.

Key Event dates for the 2024 Art Escape

• Mercury Bay Art Escape Artists Open Studios 2-3 and 9-10 March 2024
• Launch of 2024 Artists Open Studios and Gala Opening night of the Showcase Exhibition - Friday 1 March 2024, Hot Waves Café, Hot Water Beach.
• Artists in Residence - week between Open Studios 4-8 March 2024, Hot Waves Café, Hot Water Beach.
• Showcase Exhibition - 2 March - mid April 2024 at Hot Waves Café, Hot Water Beach.

About the Mercury Bay Art Escape

Mercury Bay Art Escape is an enriching and engaging visual art experience for locals and visitors to the Coromandel Peninsula. The annual Open Studios in the first two weekends of March are a major draw card on the peninsula and national visual arts calendar.

These open studios provide a unique opportunity to visit member artists at work, find out what inspires them and what new ideas they are working on. It also gives locals and visitors the chance to buy original work from some of the best artists in Mercury Bay direct from their studios.

Find out more about the Art Escape Trust via the related link below.