Open hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 11am - 3pm
Running: 8th November 2025 - 8th February 2026
Ahi Kaa brings together members of Ngā Kaihanga Uku, the Māori Clay Artists Collective, alongside invited artists and friends. Established between 1987 and 1991, Ngā Kaihanga Uku was founded by Baye Riddell, Manos Nathan, Colleen Waata-Urlich, Paerau Corneal, and Wi Taepa to forge a uniquely Māori approach to clay, fostering collaboration and connection among indigenous clay artists.
The exhibition celebrates this legacy of sharing knowledge, resources, and artistic vision. Taking inspiration from the ethos of Driving Creek and its founder Barry Brickell, Ahi Kaa is a testament to the enduring bonds within the clay community. The works on display reflect a deep respect for whenua (land), whakapapa (ancestry), and the traditions that have been kept alive and reimagined by each generation.
Ahi Kaa honours the fire that sustains creative practice—symbolizing both the physical process of working with clay and the spiritual warmth of cultural continuity. In gathering together, artists reaffirm their commitment to keeping the fires burning for future generations, ensuring that the art of uku remains vibrant and evolving.
Exhibiting Artists: Amelia Blundell, Amanda Kemp, Avara Moody, Amorangi Hikuroa, Baye Riddell, Carla Ruka, Chantel Matthews, Dave Austin, Dorothy Waetford, Elijah Haki Revell, Fleur Palmer, Gemeaux Riddell, Hana Pera Aoake, Karuna Douglas, Kaeleb Kereopa-Ngatai, Mike O’Donnell, Rhonda Halliday, Sandy Te Awhitu Kerr, Todd Douglas, Wi Te tau Taepa.
For decades, Driving Creek has been a place where art, craft, and community intertwine—where creativity runs parallel to the tracks, shaped by the people who call this place home. Off the Rails celebrates the artistic spirit of Driving Creek’s staff and friends, showcasing the diverse talents of those who keep its legacy alive.
This exhibition brings together an eclectic mix of pottery, paintings, drawings, and photography—works created by the very hands that fire the kilns, maintain the land, and guide visitors through its winding railways. It is a testament to the artistic energy that thrives here, forged in the shared experiences of work, play, and making.
Like Driving Creek itself, this collection is varied, unexpected, and deeply connected to place. From the earthy tones of fired clay to the vibrant strokes of paint, Off the Rails offers a glimpse into the creative lives of those who help shape this unique artistic hub.
🗓 Opening Night
April 17th, 6pm – 8pm
Driving Creek Gallery
📍 Exhibition Hours
April 18th – May 17th
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 3pm
Come join us for a truly special showcase of local talent. All are welcome!
Exhibition curated by Karl Fritsch
The NOTTAPOTTA exhibition at Driving Creek Gallery is a tribute to the visionary artist, potter, and conservationist Barry Brickell. More than just a showcase of his diverse art collection, this exhibition immerses visitors in Barry’s unique way of thinking and creating—his philosophy of process over outcome, encapsulated in his ethos: “It’s not the thing, but how.”
Wrertings: The Foundation of the Exhibition
At the heart of NOTTAPOTTA are Barry’s writings—or as he called them, “wrertings”—a playful and deeply personal form of expression that captures his musings on art, nature, life, and the trains that became such a central part of his world. These words, painted in sloppy clay on the gallery walls, form the base layer of the exhibition, setting the tone for the artworks displayed around, on, and over them.
A Collection of Stories and Influences
Barry Brickell was not only a prolific artist but also a passionate collector, gathering pieces that resonated with him over the years. Notta Potta features an eclectic mix of styles and approaches, from paintings acquired from local artists to works gifted by renowned national and international creatives who visited Driving Creek. Many of these artists were drawn to Barry’s unique environment, staying, working, and creating in a space where art and nature intertwined seamlessly.
Experience NOTTAPOTTA
This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Barry’s world—one where art was not just about the finished product, but about the journey of creation itself. Whether you are familiar with Barry’s legacy or discovering his work for the first time, NOTTAPOTTA invites you to engage with his vision in a deeply immersive way.
Exhibition Details:
📍 Location: Driving Creek Gallery
🕒 Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11 AM – 3 PM
📅 Closing Date: February 29, 2025
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the artistic mind and collection of one of New Zealand’s most beloved creative figures. NOTTAPOTTA is more than an exhibition—it’s an experience of Barry Brickell’s enduring spirit.
For the second year, Driving Creek will host The Coromandel Pestival on Saturday 6th of May from 10am to 6pm at the Driving Creek Gallery in Coromandel Town.
The Coromandel is home to beautiful coastlines and beaches, and precious forests and wildlife. This free all-day educational and networking event will focus on our native species and what we can do to protect them. The Pestival is open to anyone interested in conservation, hard-working volunteers, local community groups and organisations involved in The Coromandel's effort to become pest-free.
The event will be an ideal opportunity for networking, learning about new innovations and best practice methods, and listening to insightful presentations from environmental experts such as Dr. Trevor James, Dr. Andrew Veale, Danilo Hegg, Doug Ashby, Richard Johnson and Benson Lockhart.
With workshops, exhibits, stalls, kids activities and guided tours throughout the day, it will be an educational day for the whole family.
The Pestival is a free event but a koha is much appreciated.
