In the main towns around the Taupō region, there are galleries, gift shops, artist studios, and boutique design stores offering a creative edit of furniture, homewares and handcrafted objects.
Taupo Museum offers both inventively curated exhibitions and a shop - He Tangata Iti - that sells prints and the 'small treasures' that its name means.
On Queen’s Birthday Weekend every June, the annual Taupō Art Trail takes you inside the studios of local artists, and there are many boutique galleries open year round.
The studio galleries of award-winning glass artist Lynden Over of Lava Glass and ceramicist Judi Brennan of L'Arte are relaxed places to spend an afternoon browsing the unique and beautiful objects d'art and having a coffee in the garden cafes.
Dotted around the lake you will discover a diverse range of creatives working from their studio galleries - highlights include 3 Art Gallery in Kinloch, Wildwood Gallery in Waitahanui, Tukairangi Gallery in Acacia Bay and Pihanga Art Gallery in Turangi. Download a copy of the Taupo Art Connection Art Trail Guide for a full list of galleries and studios around the region.
The Taupo Sculpture Trust has commissioned some of New Zealand's most notable sculptors to create impressive artworks for public display around Taupō. Pause for a minute as you’re walking the Taupō town lakefront and take a breather next to Flora Totem or Swell. Or make a day of it and visit all 12 sculptures around Taupō town.