Take a look behind the scenes at the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail

With just under six weeks until the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail opens, visitors are being invited to delve beyond the finished artwork and discover the stories, experimentation and creativity that happens behind studio doors. 

Unfolding across Labour Weekend (24 to 26 October) and the following weekend, 31 October to 1 November, the 2026 Kāpiti Coast Art Trail features 140 artists across 117 sites, stretching from Paekākāriki to Ōtaki. The self-guided event offers five days to explore studios, galleries and creative spaces while meeting the artists behind the work. 

Manager Climate Action and Connected Communities, Monique Engelen, says the Art Trail's enduring appeal is the opportunity to experience the unexpected. 

"The Kāpiti Coast Art Trail is full of surprise and delight. Visitors aren't just viewing artwork, they're stepping into the spaces where ideas are tested, problems are solved and creativity comes to life." 

"Every artist has a story about the pieces they create. The Art Trail gives us all a rare chance to hear those stories firsthand and gain a deeper appreciation for the skill, sheer determination and experimentation involved in the creative process." 

Featured ceramic artist Neil Gardiner is one of many opening his studio doors this year. Known for his highly experimental approach to glazing, Neil uses charcoal and silicon carbide to create smoky oxidisation effects and striking lava glazes in an electric kiln. While years of skill and knowledge guide the process, there is always an element of unpredictability. 

The lava glaze reaction happens during firing, when additives in the glaze release carbon dioxide gas. As the gas bubbles burst through the surface, they leave behind a richly textured crater-like finish. 

For Neil, opening the kiln is often a moment of discovery.  

"You never know exactly what you're going to get," he says. "The heat transforms the materials in ways that can surprise you; creating colours, textures, and effects that you didn't quite expect."  

Ms Engelen says that the sense of discovery and wonder sits at the heart of the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail experience. "Visitors see the finished piece on display, but what makes the Art Trail special is the opportunity to uncover the stories behind them and meet the people who bring them to life.  

“It’s a chance to explore the places where creativity, craftsmanship, and curiosity come together to create something extraordinary.” 

For more information and updates, visit www.kapiticoastarttrail.co.nz