Art Trail visitors heading north during the second weekend of the festival will have a unique opportunity to watch two new murals emerge in the heart of Ōtaki.
Beginning 30 October, artists Em Wafer and Theo Arraj will transform public walls on Main Street and Matene Street as part of Mural Project Ōtaki.
Stop by to see large-scale public art take shape in real time and meet the artists behind the work.
Em Wafer is a full-time New Zealand artist and muralist known for her surreal dreamscapes and immersive microcosmic worlds. Winner of the 2025 New Zealand Art Show People's Choice Award, her work is collected both locally and internationally.
Exploring the relationship between symbolism and reality, Em's paintings invite viewers into spaces where inner and outer journeys intertwine.
View Em's work or follow her on social media.
Drawing inspiration from mythology, ancient cultures, science fiction, spirituality and the natural world, Theo Arraj creates dynamic works ranging from intimate studio pieces to monumental public murals.
Working full-time as an artist since 2017, Theo has completed more than 60 murals throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, bringing colour, storytelling and imagination to communities around the world.
Many Kāpiti residents will already recognise Theo's work from projects completed across the district.
View Theo's work or follow along on social media.
Create your own self-guided Art Trail adventure. Sign up, browse participating artists, save your favourites, and start planning a route that works for your day, your weekend and your pace.
When you start planning your Trail, you’ll also go in the draw to win a $200 Art Trail voucher to spend with participating artists. Follow the Trail through coastal villages, creative spaces and hidden gems across Kāpiti — and you might take home something special along the way.
Your feedback helps us make the Art Trail even better. Whether you discovered a new favourite artist, found the perfect piece, or simply enjoyed exploring creative spaces across Kāpiti, we'd love your feedback.
You’ll also go in the draw to win a $500 Art Trail voucher to spend with participating artists — the perfect way to take home something special from your time on the Trail.
The winner can use their voucher with participating Art Trail artists, making it the perfect way to take home something special from the Trail.
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