HARCOURTS CHALLENGE 2026
Dear Collective Members,
Well , what a year we have had already! We kicked things off with a hugely successful Harcourts Challenge, and that was no small feat given the shocking weather events surrounding the weekend. Both the writing and visual arts judges were so impressed with calibre of work
Ron Left stated "I was blown away with the energy of the arts community in Whangamata, and so enjoyed conversing with some of the artists and audience, it was a privilege to be there"
Award winners:
North
1st: Lena McKillop “True North on an Eastern shore”
2nd: Jesse Macaw “The North Poll”
East
1st: Maree Burt “Morning Light”
2nd: Mandy Henson “King of the Eastern Seas”
South
1st: Kieran Taylor “South Pacific Enchanted Lovers”
2nd: Daphne Inglis “Kiri South Pacific Goddess”
West
1st: Sue Jamieson “West Meets East”
2nd: Lena McKillop “With her back to the West”
Supreme Award
Lena McKillop “True North on an Eastern Shore”
People's Choice
Donna McDonald “Arctic Latte”
Youth
1st: Sage Dunn
2nd: Kirsty Houghton
3rd: Jai Airey
Although Michael Moynahan (writing judge) wasn't able to be at the awards in person we managed to zoom him in to hear his comments and award winners. He too said " such a variety of work which was a pleasure to read "
Creative Writing Winners
1st: Pippa Airey – The Direction We Carry
2nd: Caryl Cullen – The SurferA sincere thank you to everyone who supported the event in so many ways. Your time, energy, creativity, and community spirit truly shone through.
I’m delighted to share that we came out on top, finishing with a profit of $856.79 — a wonderful result for the Collective.
Thank you also for the thoughtful feedback received. It has now been collated and will certainly help inform our planning for the 2027 Challenge. Speaking of planning, we are already working on an exciting programme of workshops for 2027, scheduled to begin in April. These will be confirmed once our facilitators have locked in their availability — watch this space!
Our next major focus is, of course, the Easter Art Trail, taking place over Easter weekend on Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 April. For our newer members, if you would like to be involved in a hub or are interested in hosting one please get back to the Collective as soon as possible. We are working within a tight timeframe to finalise maps and marketing, so early responses are greatly appreciated. For previous hub hosts please confirm that you will be opening in April.
Please also keep an eye out for upcoming meeting dates regarding the Trail , where we will confirm hub requirements and ensure everything is in place for another vibrant and successful event.
Thank you again for being part of such a supportive, energetic creative community. It’s shaping up to be another inspiring year ahead, and we look forward to sharing it with you all.
Warmly,
The Collective
HARCOURT CHALLENGE 2025
What an amazing event this year! A record number of entries and a record number of visitors through the door.
Friday night was a sell out with guests enjoying a preview of the incredible, diverse range of artwork. The guests were treated to a wonderful grazing table provided by Nikki Seales and her able bodied kitchen hands.
This year was the inaugural Writing component of the Challenge. This component of the Challenge was proudly sponsored by the Whangamata Club and was one by Caryl Cullen for her poem “My Mothers’ Kitchen.” Runner up was Graeme Smith for his short story about a wax eye, titled Tauhou/Wax-eye.
The plants that added ambience to the hall were provided very generously by Bunnings, Whangamatā. Thanks to Katrina!
Caryl Cullen, the winner of the inaugural Writing component of the Harcourts Challenge is presented with her certificate. This new aspect of the challenge is proudly sponsored by the Whangamata Club.
To view a larger photo or read more about each photo below, please simply click on the photo.
ART AFTER DARK 2023
Another excellent event held by the Arts Collective at the Titoki Golf Club. The musicians, the Art and the public were all in fine form as the Arts Collective held its second Art After Dark. The golf club provided a wonderful setting for the art, both indoor and outdoor. The canapes were provided by Chef Carl from the Whangamata Club and a glass or two of bubbly was enjoyed by the patrons. The music had everyone on their feet shaking their booty and enjoying the great sounds.
ART AFTER DARK 2022
Well the artists and art lovers outdid themselves following the dress code of “Dazzle” for the latest event on the Arts Collective calendar: “Art after Dark”. Everyone looked amazing. Well-deserved winners of the best dressed woman and man were Cherry Estcourt and Terry Grimmond . Check out their photos. The golf club venue provided a stunning venue with the twilight sky and views over the golf course. And with every event, the art just keeps getting better. It was so good to see the variety of artwork from our community of talented artists. And the music was next level. As was the dancing!
A great night was had by all. Congratulations Arts Collective for another excellent event. Photos supplied with thanks from Whangamata News.
A great night was had by all. Congratulations Arts Collective for another excellent event. Photos supplied with thanks from Whangamata News.
The Arts Collective want to thank you all for making this such an epic event. Even the sunshine came through to shine on our day. It was quite a journey getting there but what a result! 448 through the gate and artists, musicians and visitors all looked to be having the bet time in the beautiful Bushlands Park in the Wentworth Valley. Thanks so much for your support.
ARTS COLLECTIVE MID WINTER MINGLE
The Arts Collective Mid Winter Mingle on Sunday August 7th 2022
An estimated 130 people enjoyed a winter’s afternoon of classy art and entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere with artists and art lovers interacting, while enjoying a glass of wine and delicious canapes.
Artists that exhibited their art ranged from 2D to 3D and in a wide variety of media. It was so exciting to have some new younger members involved, adding a youthful vibrancy to the exhibition.
The inclusion of Whangamata Area Schools photographic students work was very popular resulting in a sale for one student. A lot of interest was shown in some very clever water colours paintings by Eleanor Dyer.
Music lovers were seen tapping in time or singing along to the music of Andy and Adele, Jono Pete, Julia Smithson and Jim Carberry.
There were great sales this year and even a few commissions. Maree will be busy drawing some well-loved pooches for a while! There were so many appreciative and admiring comments of the artworks and visitors obviously enjoyed chatting with the artists.
The raffle was won by local Art supporter and councillor Terry Walker!
An estimated 130 people enjoyed a winter’s afternoon of classy art and entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere with artists and art lovers interacting, while enjoying a glass of wine and delicious canapes.
Artists that exhibited their art ranged from 2D to 3D and in a wide variety of media. It was so exciting to have some new younger members involved, adding a youthful vibrancy to the exhibition.
The inclusion of Whangamata Area Schools photographic students work was very popular resulting in a sale for one student. A lot of interest was shown in some very clever water colours paintings by Eleanor Dyer.
Music lovers were seen tapping in time or singing along to the music of Andy and Adele, Jono Pete, Julia Smithson and Jim Carberry.
There were great sales this year and even a few commissions. Maree will be busy drawing some well-loved pooches for a while! There were so many appreciative and admiring comments of the artworks and visitors obviously enjoyed chatting with the artists.
The raffle was won by local Art supporter and councillor Terry Walker!
Below are some of the fabulous art and artist from the Mid-Winter Mingle. As you can see, a wonderful range was on show.
Workshop with Heather Watt
|
Heather held another of her fantastic workshops last weekend. Participants came from as far away as New Plymouth to spend the day exploring their creative side. Julie, on holiday from New Plymouth, dabbles in art from time to time but this was really stepping out of her comfort zone. Julie worked on a Greek inspired collage using mixed media. Paint, tissue and fabric combined to create an exciting, vibrant work. Adele, a long time resident of Whangamata explored the versatility of wood, paint and fabric to create a triptych landscape dotted here and there with flakes of rust! Katrina, a student on holiday from Victoria University in Wellington developed a work encompassing some favourite artists. A play on Magritte, a nod to Bob Ross and her own self expression.
|
|
