Inside The Artist’s Studio
There is a little bit of an irony in the art world in that most of it is made far away from where most people see it. Not in grand institutions or under flattering track lighting with a waiter drifting past holding a tray of exotic mollusc hors d’oeuvres and Champagne. More often, it is made in garages, converted rooms, sheds, shared spaces, and home studios tucked next to the wheelie-bin spot at the bottom of a typical suburban driveway. Which is exactly why open studio weekends are so compelling. They cut through some of the hoopla and distance that tends to build up around art and the art world. One such example is Open Art Studios Upper Harbour. On Saturday, 9 May and Sunday, 10 May 2026, nine studios and 20 artists across Auckland’s Upper Harbour area will open their doors to the public, offering access to working spaces that are normally private. Visitors will be able to move between studios in Greenhithe, Albany, Rosedale, Unsworth Heights and surrounding suburbs, meeting artists and getting a first-hand peek at their process.
It’s very hyperlocal for a nationwide magazine, but we think this is an important movement. For all the talk about supporting the arts in New Zealand, the real backbone of creative culture is often built at community level through local organisers, local funding, local audiences and artists willing to open up spaces that are usually personal, private and a little hidden.
Open Art Studios Upper Harbour is returning for its second year, funded by the Upper Harbour Local Board and led by Renée Tanner of Lightbox Projects. The 2026 programme has expanded after a strong first year, with additional studios still being confirmed.
Tanner describes it as a chance to open spaces that people would not normally get to see, and to experience art where it is actually made, rather than only as finished work in a gallery. There is also a lack of pretence in the format. Open studio events tend to attract a broader mix of people because they feel less coded. You do not need to pretend you have strong feelings about negative space and the golden triangle. You can just turn up, look around, ask questions and maybe buy some art.
The artist line-up spans a wide range of practices. Ryan Mateo Art, based in Albany Heights, is a self-taught wire sculptor opening his home studio to visitors. His work turns metal into expressive hanging and table-mounted forms, and guests will be able to watch the process and take part in hands-on wire weaving.
Barry Ross Smith, in Greenhithe, creates surreal oil paintings of islands, colonial villas and oversized birds, with work that draws oblique attention to environmental issues and the after-effects of colonialism on native species. Sarah Ward, also in Greenhithe, is an award-winning textile artist known for abstract quilts that range from bold and expressive to more restrained palettes.
The Freemanz Studio will offer a look at hyper-realistic pastel works in progress, while Mead Ceramics and Apollo Clay & Art will run live pottery demonstrations, with handmade cups, bowls and functional ceramic pieces available to purchase.
It is a good mix, partly because it reflects the range that exists within local creative communities and partly because it resists the idea that “art” is one thing. It can be sculptural, domestic, conceptual, technical, tactile, decorative, political or all of the above. In a studio setting, those categories also become less rigid. You are not just encountering an object. You are seeing how someone works, the little trinkets of inspiration, the iterations, and some of the wider context behind the final artwork.
The weekend also includes a couple of smart additions around the studio trail itself. Opening Night on Friday, 8 May at the Greenhithe Old School Building brings together artists, organisers and the local community over drinks and nibbles, with event maps available to help visitors plan their route. Then on Sunday afternoon, artist Xie Yi will host a Zen Tea and Mindful Painting session at Mount Top Art Studio in Unsworth Heights, combining tea ritual and painting in a more reflective setting. These details help broaden the weekend from a simple browse into something with a bit more rhythm and personality.
Open Art Studios Upper Harbour is part of a wider series of open studio events across Auckland, with Kaipātiki and Waitākere opening later in the year. Not every area needs a major gallery precinct or a flagship cultural building to have a meaningful arts identity. Sometimes, what it needs is a cool format and a way for people to really connect artwork with art work.