Frequently asked questions
Q. Where do I get information on the day?
A. The ARTS in the VILLE Hub is located at the Helensville War Memorial Hall, 49 Commercial Road, Helensville. The map can also be viewed online and downloaded on the Map page.
Q: Is there an entry fee? Or entry to the venue?
A: There is no charge for entry to the venues.
Q: Can I walk the whole trail?
A: Most of the central Helensville art trail can be easily walked on footpaths. However, it's not all flat ground, and a few venues are on a hillside. There are a handful of locations that are within a short driving distance, see the Map page for details. We may have some vans operating from 110-1pm this year, check with the Helensville Art Centre.
Note: Wishart Rd is closed, but Tom Somerville's Muddy Fingers Studio is open and accessible from the Inland Rd end.
Q: Where can I pick up maps?
A: The map can be viewed and downloaded from the Map page. Maps will also be available from the Helensville Art Centre. Open artists studios will have a few copies as well.
Q: How will I recognise the artist’s studios or spaces, pop-up galleries, and event locations?
A: All artists and event sites will be displaying bright pink flags which identify ARTS in the VILLE outside their location.
NOTE: A flag outside a venue says it is open. Artists take down the flag when they close each day.
Q: Are all artists open all days?
A: Most artists are open all three days from 10am-4pm. The map will indicate which days each artist’s studio or space is open and pink flags will be displayed outside participating venues when they are open. Check the website and brochure for Artists and Makers availability.
Q: Will there be any interactive activities?
A: Artists always welcome questions about their work and some artists may show you parts of their creative process! There are also scheduled events that will be sure to engage and inspire you — check out our events pages for details.
Q: What is the ‘Treasure Hunt’?
A: The Treasure Hunt is an opportunity to win a Jeff Thomson art piece! Jeff has devised a fun treasure hunt on behalf of the Art Centre Helensville. Clues are placed around the township. Details can be found on the Visual Treasure Hunt page.
Q: What is the ‘Any Media Art Comp’?
A: The 'Any Media Art Comp' is a competition for young emerging artist located in the Helensville area. Details can be found on the Any Media Art Comp page.
Q: What is the ‘Kaipara Cup’?
A: Using nothing more than paper, glue and paint, make a floating object that must survive for at least 200 metres in the river! There will be prizes! The inaugural Kaipara Cup is a free event is open to all members of the public. Details can be found on the Kaipara Cup page.
Q: Will there be a cancellation if the weather is bad?
A: No, the event will be held on all days, rain or shine!
Q: Is there parking?
A: Yes, there is free street-side parking around central Helensville and a public car park located at 2 Porter Crescent.
Q: Where are the toilets?
A: Public Toilets are available in the Helensville War Memorial Hall, 49 Commercial Road. The Public Toilets on Commercial Rd/Creek Lane will be open until late.
Q: Will food be available?
A: Yes! Check out our Food page for details of Food Trucks, coffee carts and local businesses.
Q: Do I need cash to buy artworks?
A: Yes, cash is advisable, especially for the Makers Market. However, you can make an arrangement with artists directly to either pay in full on the day or you can discuss an agreed deposit and pick-up date. Banking ATMs are all along the main street for Kiwibank, ANZ, BNZ, TSB and ASB, locations available HERE. Some artists may process payment via personal online banking, but this is at their own discretion.
A. The ARTS in the VILLE Hub is located at the Helensville War Memorial Hall, 49 Commercial Road, Helensville. The map can also be viewed online and downloaded on the Map page.
Q: Is there an entry fee? Or entry to the venue?
A: There is no charge for entry to the venues.
Q: Can I walk the whole trail?
A: Most of the central Helensville art trail can be easily walked on footpaths. However, it's not all flat ground, and a few venues are on a hillside. There are a handful of locations that are within a short driving distance, see the Map page for details. We may have some vans operating from 110-1pm this year, check with the Helensville Art Centre.
Note: Wishart Rd is closed, but Tom Somerville's Muddy Fingers Studio is open and accessible from the Inland Rd end.
Q: Where can I pick up maps?
A: The map can be viewed and downloaded from the Map page. Maps will also be available from the Helensville Art Centre. Open artists studios will have a few copies as well.
Q: How will I recognise the artist’s studios or spaces, pop-up galleries, and event locations?
A: All artists and event sites will be displaying bright pink flags which identify ARTS in the VILLE outside their location.
NOTE: A flag outside a venue says it is open. Artists take down the flag when they close each day.
Q: Are all artists open all days?
A: Most artists are open all three days from 10am-4pm. The map will indicate which days each artist’s studio or space is open and pink flags will be displayed outside participating venues when they are open. Check the website and brochure for Artists and Makers availability.
Q: Will there be any interactive activities?
A: Artists always welcome questions about their work and some artists may show you parts of their creative process! There are also scheduled events that will be sure to engage and inspire you — check out our events pages for details.
Q: What is the ‘Treasure Hunt’?
A: The Treasure Hunt is an opportunity to win a Jeff Thomson art piece! Jeff has devised a fun treasure hunt on behalf of the Art Centre Helensville. Clues are placed around the township. Details can be found on the Visual Treasure Hunt page.
Q: What is the ‘Any Media Art Comp’?
A: The 'Any Media Art Comp' is a competition for young emerging artist located in the Helensville area. Details can be found on the Any Media Art Comp page.
Q: What is the ‘Kaipara Cup’?
A: Using nothing more than paper, glue and paint, make a floating object that must survive for at least 200 metres in the river! There will be prizes! The inaugural Kaipara Cup is a free event is open to all members of the public. Details can be found on the Kaipara Cup page.
Q: Will there be a cancellation if the weather is bad?
A: No, the event will be held on all days, rain or shine!
Q: Is there parking?
A: Yes, there is free street-side parking around central Helensville and a public car park located at 2 Porter Crescent.
Q: Where are the toilets?
A: Public Toilets are available in the Helensville War Memorial Hall, 49 Commercial Road. The Public Toilets on Commercial Rd/Creek Lane will be open until late.
Q: Will food be available?
A: Yes! Check out our Food page for details of Food Trucks, coffee carts and local businesses.
Q: Do I need cash to buy artworks?
A: Yes, cash is advisable, especially for the Makers Market. However, you can make an arrangement with artists directly to either pay in full on the day or you can discuss an agreed deposit and pick-up date. Banking ATMs are all along the main street for Kiwibank, ANZ, BNZ, TSB and ASB, locations available HERE. Some artists may process payment via personal online banking, but this is at their own discretion.