Each week Culture 101 puts the spotlight on a different part of the country for our regional wrap. This week we're in the Thames-Coromandel area at Mercury Bay. There's a vibrant hub of artists and a thriving community. Mercury Bay Art Escape started in 2006 as a cultural weekend, but has now developed into a larger event with 57 artists participating this year. Locals volunteer and it's a chance for people to visit the region and artists studios from Tairua to Whangapoua. With many well-known beaches in the region including Cathedral Cove and Cooks Beach, it's a popular tourist spot come summer time. Hot Water Beach local and Mercury Bay Art Escape Trustee Sally Samins speaks to Culture 101.