For one weekend in November, Open Studios Waitākere invites visitors behind the scenes of West Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s vibrant creative community. Now in its 12th year, the annual event brings together more than 80 artists across over 58 studios and galleries, offering an intimate glimpse into the places where art is imagined, developed and made.

Stretching from Piha and Te Henga to Titirangi, Oratia, Swanson and Huia, the self-guided trail encompasses a diverse range of creative practices, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, photography, illustration, printmaking and tā moko. Visitors can meet artists in their working environments, explore works in progress, discover unfamiliar techniques and purchase artworks directly from their makers.

From purpose-built workshops and shared creative spaces to studios nestled among native bush, the event reveals the varied environments in which artists work. Each location offers a different perspective on the creative process, providing an opportunity to understand the materials, ideas and methods that shape individual practices.

Alongside studio visits, the weekend features exhibitions, workshops and hands-on activities for all ages. The programme encourages visitors to engage directly with artists, ask questions and gain insight into the experimentation, challenges and discoveries that accompany the making of art.

With no prescribed route, visitors are encouraged to explore at their own pace, using the event’s interactive map or printed guide to navigate between studios. The journey is as much about discovering the distinctive neighbourhoods and landscapes of the Waitākere Ranges as it is about encountering the artists who live and work there.

Free and open to everyone, Open Studios Waitākere celebrates the region’s creative diversity, fostering connections between artists, audiences and the wider community while offering a rare opportunity to experience contemporary art beyond the traditional gallery setting.