The New Zealand Defence Forces' official artist Matt Gauldie will be guest speaker at the opening of The Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust's Taste of the Tour showcase.

The upcoming opening will launch the art trust's extremely popular and free 2016 Art Escape Open Studio Tour and will take place at Hot Waves Café in Hot Water Beach on Friday, March 4.

Renowned Kiwi artist Matt Gauldie with his sculpture of World War One artist Horace ‘Sapper' Moore‐Jones. Photos: Supplied

Hailing from Otaki on the Kapti Coast, the renowned artist and sculptor was appointed to the prestigious position as the forces' official artist by former PM Helen Clark back in 2005.

He recently completed an impressive bronze sculpture for the Hamilton City Council of World War One artist Horace ‘Sapper' Moore‐Jones, who served in Gallipoli and is best known for his painting ‘Simpson and his Donkey'.

'Matt is a vibrant, enthusiastic member of the art community and has that ‘number eight wire' quality,” says trust Chairman Stuart Christie.

'Combined with a dry sense of humour will make for an entertaining speaker.”

Matt will also share his knowledge and experience in a workshop for artists titled ‘The figure in art...portraiture and the ace up your sleeve' on Monday, March 7.

This workshop will focus on the role of portraiture in 2D and 3D Art, and includes some practical painting demonstrations plus a look at technical and practical implications of working in this field.

The Art Escape Open Studio Tour offers the public an opportunity to not only interact with artists in their studios but also purchase artwork direct from the source.

It features the works of 37 local artists who work with a range of media including jewellery, pottery, painting, photography, hand forged knives, sculpture, woodcarving, and mosaics.

The studio tour takes place on the weekends of March 5-6 and March 12 -13.

The Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust's Taste of the Tour showcase takes place at Hot Waves Café in Hot Water Beach on Friday, March 4. Tickets cost $40.

To purchase tickets or for more information about the 2016 Art Escape Open Studio Tour visit: www.mercurybayartescape.com