Registrations are now closed for 2022 arts trail.
“Garden and Arts, A Fine Fit.”
Visitors to Taranaki garden, art festivals exceed expectations
Visitor numbers to Taranaki’s near fortnight of garden and art festivities have surpassed expectations with “big numbers” attending.
The Taranaki Garden Festival, which ran in collaboration with Taranaki Arts Trail and Sustainable Taranaki Backyards Trail, and Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival both wrapped up at the weekend.
In the lead-up, organisers were concerned visitor numbers would be impacted by the current threat of Covid but while numbers weren’t record-setting, those involved were pleased with the turnout.
Festival manager Tetsu Garnett was “pleasantly surprised” by the turnout.
She said locals were out in force and people had travelled from across the country, including from Tauranga, Coromandel, Invercargill, Queenstown, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay, for the event.
Garnett believed out-of-towners had stayed longer than usual this year and created a holiday around the festival.
This would play a significant role in economically benefiting the region, she said.
“It was amazing. All the gardeners' hard work has paid off.
Heidi Griffin, chair of Taranaki Arts Trail, said studios saw a fluctuation of numbers throughout the 10-event. Weekends were bustling for the artists while weekdays were a little quieter, she said.
“Lots of artists were saying their visitor numbers were lower but they sold just as much as last year.
“It swings in roundabouts.”
The trail had this year attracted many new attendees, Griffin said, which was testament to the collaboration of the garden and arts events.
“It gives a bigger event for people to visit and they compliment each other very well.”
Next year will see it celebrate its 34th year - one of the longest-running festivals in New Zealand - and the Taranaki Arts Trail, considered as pioneering the development of art tourism in the region will enjoy its eighth year of open artist studios.
The symbiotic relationship between both festivals and the widely popular 2020 event will now see the Taranaki Arts Trail, adopting the Spring dates and increasing the event from one weekend to two in 2021.
About Us
Visually inspiring, the volcanic landscape of Taranaki, with its ring of wild coast beaches, green and pleasant land, myriads of clear streams and bush covered slopes, all providing a beautiful backdrop to a fascinating weekend event held annually each year.
Established in 2014 the Taranaki Arts Trail provides the public with the unique opportunity to meet with artists in their studio/workshops. Ultimately, the aim of the Taranaki Arts Trail is to build a greater understanding in the community of the processes involved and the skills required, in creating a work of art.
The Taranaki Arts Trail is pleased to announce the third year of partnering with the Taranaki Garden Festival . Both festivals' opening over the same dates, with artists studios extended over the two weekends, will provide greater opportunity to visit and enjoy our open studios.
Taranaki is the destination this spring, find out about events and all the things you can see and do while you are here on our Visit Taranaki page.