A WEEKEND TO ENJOY ART IN THE RANGES
Open Studios Waitākere
Artist: Helen Dean
Open Studios Waitākere 2026 will take place on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November.
This annual event is your chance to explore the artistic heart of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area. Over one inspiring weekend, more than 80 local artists will open their studio doors to the public, from Piha to Parau, Henderson to Huia.
Meet painters, sculptors, jewellers, illustrators, ceramic artists, photographers, and more. See where the magic happens, engage with artists about their creative process, and enjoy a rich offering of exhibitions and workshops along the way.
We’re inviting artists to register by the 4 September via the form below.
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 November 2026
The Map
Open Studios Waitākere covers the entire Waitākere Ranges Local Board area — from Piha and Te Henga in the west to Glen Eden and Oratia in the east, and from Swanson in the north to Huia and Parau in the south.
To take part you need to live or work within this area. If you are not sure, check using Auckland Council’s Find Your Local Board tool, or view/download the PDF version of our Map.
If your studio sits just outside the boundary, email us anyway and we will let you know where things stand.
Meet last year’s artists
Meet Mandy Patmore
Mandy Patmore is a multi-media environmental artist who lives in Karekare. Mandy has a passionate relationship with her local environment. Her current work focuses largely on deforestation and habitat loss in New Zealand, and the plight of many endangered native species.
Film by Conan Fitzpatrick
Meet Daniel Blanshard
For over three decades Daniel Blanshard has been an Artist in continuous experimentation of classical makery and etheric light play. His recent 'Radiance' series of brass and copper discs are the culmination of years of slow deliberate experimentation in which he has honed his own unique technique of art makery, crafting more like a jeweller, engraver, or blacksmith working with the scale of sculpture to activate the retro reflective play of light.
Daniel is in demand with art commissions across the globe.
‘To bring these works to life is not only a calling but a privilege an opportunity to activate the light'
Daniel Blanshard.
It's such a delight to have Daniel involved in the Open Studios Waitākere event again this year.
Film by Conan Fitzpatrick
Meet some of our past artists
We met up with some of the artists who took part in last year’s Open Studios.
Here’s what they had to tell us about their lives, their work and living in West Auckland. See their images below to read the full interview from each of our featured artists.
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Janel Reid / Okay Ceramics
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Hayden Scott
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Melissa Hastings / Shaw Road Ceramics
