Pauanui sculptor Logan Humphrey has his cutting tools and grinders on overdrive in preparation for the Mercury Bay Art Escape event.
The youngest of exhibiting artists at only 22 years-of-age, Logan isn’t much older than the event itself. The Mercury Bay Art Escape (MBAE) will be celebrating its 20th year over two weekends this March (7-9 and 14-16) when about 50 visual artists will open their studios and showcase their creativity.
Logan’s a dab hand with the tools used to create his hand made, authentic sculptures. He may be young, but he’s put a good number of years in.
“I got my first real tools on my fifth birthday - a socket set and some spanners. I was a visual learner and loved to make, build and fix from a young age. My family are all practical, number 8 wire types so I was always included in fixing and problem solving.
“Metal and welding are my thing, and I love to repurpose items,” says Logan.
The mediums showcased by the various artists during the art escape event will be many. They include pottery, mosaics, black smithery, painting, print making, weaving, sculpture, photography, pen and wash, glass fusing, ceramics and more.
At the other end of the age spectrum from Logan is 93-year-old Betty Collings who will also be exhibiting. Described as a “distinguished artist and innovator in sculpture, painting and ceramics,” Betty is one of the founders of Art Escape. Her enduring aspiration has been to promote and develop the growth of the visual arts in the Mercury Bay area in particular, and the wider Coromandel Peninsula in general.
Mercury Bay Art Escape co-organsier Sally Samins says the annual self-drive event is a fabulous way to promote and develop the growth of the visual arts in the area.
The event is free and offers a wonderful day out traversing the beautiful coastline, Sally says, en route to the many open studios. Art Escape also provides the opportunity for the public to visit and chat with member artists in their creative spaces, see their work in progress, find what inspires them and what new art they are working on, Sally says.
Thames Coromandel District Council economic development spokesman John Freer says the art escape provides a raft of benefits to the wider region.
“While artists get the opportunity to market and sell their works, our accommodation, hospitality and tourism sector benefits from providing their services to the many visitors the art escape attracts,” he says.
There’s plenty to love visually, too, he adds.
“The raw beauty of our local art is being displayed, while sitting behind it is the natural beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula”.
The 20th Mercury Bay Art Escape will kick off with a gala night on March 6, with celebrated NZ artist Dick Frizzell as guest speaker. This will be held at Hot Waves Café, Hot Water Beach, where examples of the artists’ work can be enjoyed at a Showcase Exhibition.
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