Art in the garden

If you're considering acquiring a piece of art for your garden, holidays are the perfect time to do some research or shopping. It can be loads of fun just looking, especially if the art is on view in a beautiful garden.

Where to start looking? If you're away on holiday, start with a visit to the nearest information centre. Let them know what you're looking for and they'll put you in touch with local artisans and galleries.

Art symposiums and exhibitions are an easy way to view a variety of works from many artists. Those happening in January include:

January 14-29: The Waitakaruru International Wood Carving Symposium is held at the Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park, 207 Scotsman Road, Hamilton. Once you've finished looking at the woodcarvers, check out the 80 sculptures displayed in the stunning 17ha garden. Open from 10am till sunset - finish your day with a picnic supper. www.sculpturepark.co.nz .

January 21-23: Live Artists At Work Exhibition, L'Arte Cafe, 255 Mapara Road, Acacia Bay, Taupo. Artists at work in a garden setting with all art for sale. www.liveartistsatwork.co.nz .

January 29-30: The Ninth Annual Elms Festival of Creative Garden Art, Elms Mission House, Mission Street, Tauranga. Local and visiting artists display their wares for sale. Ph 07 577 9772.

There are two little-known sculpture parks just a day trip from Auckland. Although you're unlikely to find a piece of art for your home garden here, Connells Bay Sculpture Park situated on Waiheke Island is a superb way to spend a day out, especially if you finish with a meal at one of the local wineries. The 25 large-scale land sculptures by renowned contemporary New Zealand sculptors such as Graham Bennett, Virginia King, Fatu Feu'u and Jeff Thompson are displayed on a property with commanding views over the Hauraki Gulf. Viewing is by appointment only, to find out more go to www.connellsbay.co.nz

Another sculpture park a pleasant 40-minute drive north of Auckland is artist Terry Stringer's Zealandia Cafe and Sculpture Garden. It's at 138 Mahurangi West Rd, Warkworth, open from 10am-4pm until the end of January. Admission is $10, guided tours are at 11am and 2pm daily, or you can wander independently. Ph 09 422 0099.

At the other end of the North Island in the Akatarawa Valley near Upper Hutt is the Efil Doog Garden of Art. Efil Doog (read it backwards) has been assessed as a Garden of Regional Significance by the New Zealand Garden Trust. It has been described as a stunning combination of garden, paintings and sculpture all in a tranquil setting. www.efildoog-nz.com

Contact Regina at Creative Solutions Garden Design, ph 027 235 9669.

REGINA WYPYCH - landscape designer