Starting today and lasting until 24 March, Sculpture on the Gulf is set to wow visitors to Waiheke Island with a glorious combination of art and nature.

With scrubbed shoes to save our Kauri forests, and a $10 donation, art enthusiasts can wander the sculpture trail along the incredible coastline, and in the quaint village of Oneroa. 

This year's Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf will feature 28 artists who have worked with stone, wood, glass, metal and other media, creating pieces that are uniquely designed to fit in with the landscape. A small sculpture exhibition will take place at the Waiheke Community Art Gallery.

A noticeable change to the event this year is its move to March, when it has normally been held in January and February. Nique van Selm, Operations Manager for Sculpture on the Gulf, says that the change of dates is going to be greatly beneficial to Waiheke Island.

“There are three reasons behind the shift. Firstly, January and February are already such busy months we felt that the infrastructure on the island wouldn’t be able to cope with the additional numbers that Sculpture on the Gulf attracts.

“Then there’s the temperature. As a mostly outdoor event, we felt the cooler month of March would be better for those walking the full two-kilometre walk of the sculpture trail.

“And finally, having the event in March benefits our local businesses as it extends their summer season.”

The shift of dates lines up with a key element of Destination AKL 2025 strategy, a strategy from Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) which aims to improve Auckland’s visitor economy. It recognises the need to generate visitor interest in Auckland during our quieter months.

General Manager Destination Steve Armitage says ATEED is pleased to support Sculpture on the Gulf as part of Auckland’s exciting summer event portfolio.
 
“This homegrown event provides the chance to showcase local and international talent on the stunning Waiheke Island.
 
“Shifting the event to later in summer as well as encouraging visitors to see more of Waiheke when they attend aligns well with the Destination AKL 2025 strategy’s focus around sustainable destination and major events management.”

Here’s some key information to help you make the most out of your visit to Sculpture on the Gulf:

Event details
•    1-24 March
•    $10 donation upon entry for adults (children under 15 go free)
•    Weekends will be busy
•    The shuttle and Information Centre operate 8am–5pm daily, but the trail is accessible 24/7
•    There's a $5 fare (children free) to take the shuttle bus from the Information Centre near the Matiatia wharf, through Oneroa village, to the start of the track
•    Wear good shoes - the track is unsealed and there are quite a few steps up and down

Kauri dieback prevention
The horrible Kauri dieback disease has not made its way to Waiheke Island, and everyone is determined to ensure that this remains the case. Before arriving on Waiheke, please ensure you have thoroughly scrubbed any footwear you are bringing. During the Sculpture walk you also will encounter walk-through cleaning stations manned by Kauri dieback Ambassadors.

For full details, please visit the Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf 2019 website.
 

You may also like