Our website is currently under construction — thank you for your patience.

This Week’s Issue

Arts Tour preparations in full swing

Want to promote your business or idea?

We Support Local

Written by

Published on

September 9, 2025

The 19th annual Coromandel Open Studios Arts Tour is on in October.

BY CHARLENE SCOTT

Thirty- four artists in and around Coromandel Town are currently hard at work getting ready for the 19th annual Coromandel Open Studios Arts Tour on 5th-6th and 11th-12th October. New to the tour this year are Iona Matheson, Judy Wood, Matilda Halley, Robyn Vinten and Libby McColl.

Iona Matheson recently moved to Coromandel after being displaced from her home in Piha by Cyclone Gabriel. Her latest collection of mythological birds are inspired by Coromandel’s lush landscape. “My sculptural work is influenced by a fascination of the interwoven relationships between flora and fauna and geological formations.” She weaves together recycled/reclaimed media such as paper clay and pulps with ceramic, cast bronze, glass, recycled paper and leaves to create stunning sculptures. Iona has extensively exhibited her work throughout Aotearoa and more recently completed an artist residency at Driving Creek Railway & Pottery with another in the pipeline.

Matilda moved to Coromandel five years ago with the hope of honing her craft as a potter. She has apprenticed with Petra Meyboden, as well as training in Japan and India, working at the Leach Pottery in Cornwall and most recently, as a member of the production pottery team at Driving Creek. “I am inspired by traditional approaches to pottery, using local materials to make everyday pots for local people… I hope each piece carries its own quiet personality and brings a sense of connection whenever it’s used.” She works using mostly local clays, and rocks and ash to make glazes.

Judy has visited Coromandel since she was a child eventually moving here in 2023. She has been painting for over 25 years in watercolours and acrylic. “I would describe my artwork as “abstract landscapes”. The paintings challenge the viewer to look into the imagery to see the ruggedness of the New Zealand mountain ranges, the textures of the bush and wetlands, and movement of the oceans.” She also creates jewellery and examples of both her paintings and her jewellery will be available to view during the Arts Tour.

Libby is an experienced painter with a background in graphic design and has exhibited her paintings all over New Zealand. Ten years ago she decided to take the plunge and become a full time artist, moving from Auckland to the isolated community of Tuateawa. Her works show a deep love of the natural environment and finely honed skills from years of experience. Most of her paintings are realistic, although recently she has been exploring more abstract ideas.

Robyn is relatively new to the world of pottery but has already made her mark selling her work locally through art shops and markets. Like so many others she began by taking a pottery class at Driving Creek Pottery. She moved to Tuateawa eight years ago after living in London for thirty five years. The native bush and sea that surrounds her home is the main inspiration for her work. Libby and Robyn will be sharing a temporary shared studio in Coromandel Town for the Tour.