Call for artists to join the 2023 Mercury Bay Art Escape Open Studios

Mercury Bay Art Escape is an enriching and engaging visual art experience event for locals and visitors to the Coromandel Peninsula.

Submissions are invited from artists to participate in the Mercury Bay Art Escape 2023. Submissions need to be sent to the Art Escape Trust by the 14th August 2022.

Artists need to be based in (or connected to the Mercury Bay) geographical area including: 

• Pauanui
• Hikuai
• Tairua
• Hot Water Beach
• Hahei
• Cooks Beach, Flaxmill Bay, Ferry Landing
• Matarangi
• Whenuakite, Coroglen
• Whitianga, Wharekaho
• Kuaotunu, Otama, Opito Bay
• Matarangi and Whangapoua.

Events for 2023 Art Escape

• Mercury Bay Art Escape Artists Open Studios 4-5 and 11-12 March 2023
• Launch of 2023 Artists Open Studios and Gala Opening night of the Showcase Exhibition - Friday 3
March, Venue to be confirmed
• Artists in Residence – week between Open Studios 6 - 10 March.
• Showcase Exhibition – 3 March - mid April 2023 venue and dates to be confirmed.

Why become an Art Escape Artist Member?

Throughout the year there are social gatherings to meet and network with other member artists. The Trust also encourages visitors and residents to contact member artists at any time during the year to make an appointment to visit. 

As well as ongoing promotion during the year through Social Media ie Facebook and Instagram, artists can advise when they have open studios during the year, plan to hold an exhibition or workshops and the MBAE will promote this on their social media channels.

Members of the Trust and Steering Group are available to offer guidance, mentoring and advice to artists when needed. You are making a contribution to the local arts scene and Mercury Bay community.

What is the qualifying criteria 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.

There are further criteria for group membership. Full guidelines for new artists can be downloaded or found on the MBAE website.

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 and Events via the related links below.