Harcourts Challenge 2021 / Big Arts Day Out
The 2021 Harcourts Challenge, held over Waitangi Weekend, broke all the records!
Click here to see our reflections of the event (including photos and a review by Lynne)
Click here to see our reflections of the event (including photos and a review by Lynne)
Workshop with Heather Watt
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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.
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Arty Farty Garden Party
Photos supplied by Rodger Jack
It was a beautiful day in Opoutere for the Arty Farty Garden Party on Saturday, with many tui visiting and a glorious plump kereru making its presence very evident.
Visitors were serenaded by musicians, Andy Warneford and Kevin Prout, as they meandered around the garden and bushsetting of Gretha and Trevor Whyte’s stunning Opoutere property.
Around every corner and in every nook and cranny was another artist waiting to showcase their artistic creations, and also some tasty Christmas treats to nibble and sip. In one of the welcoming nooks, Arts Collective chairperson, Graeme Smith, greeted people and introduced them to the art pieces he was in care of, professing not to be an artist himself.
He was the kaitiaki (guardian) for beautiful Maori wooden combs, ceramic art pieces and hand crafted wooden spinning tops. As visitors worked their way through the bush paths, they could talk to the artists who had created paintings, prints, and mixed media works; woven kete and hangings, hand spun and woven and felted pieces, cushions, lavender ladies, hand-built ceramic pieces, Christmas decorations, cushions, needle-felted creatures; a re-designed chair; and the odd felted toucan “hanging out”. All proving how versatile the members of the Arts Collective are.
The talented Arts Collective artists had their art on display throughout the garden and many happy visitors left with treasures and gifts tucked under their arms.
The Arts Collective committee assessed the second Arty Farty Garden Party as very successful.
Before the “paint dries”, members will be wasting no time in getting their art pieces ready for the Harcourts Challenge and Big Arts Day Out at Waitangi weekend. And of course, this starts with a very popular wine and cheese preview and prizegiving on the Friday evening, Friday February 5.
It was a beautiful day in Opoutere for the Arty Farty Garden Party on Saturday, with many tui visiting and a glorious plump kereru making its presence very evident.
Visitors were serenaded by musicians, Andy Warneford and Kevin Prout, as they meandered around the garden and bushsetting of Gretha and Trevor Whyte’s stunning Opoutere property.
Around every corner and in every nook and cranny was another artist waiting to showcase their artistic creations, and also some tasty Christmas treats to nibble and sip. In one of the welcoming nooks, Arts Collective chairperson, Graeme Smith, greeted people and introduced them to the art pieces he was in care of, professing not to be an artist himself.
He was the kaitiaki (guardian) for beautiful Maori wooden combs, ceramic art pieces and hand crafted wooden spinning tops. As visitors worked their way through the bush paths, they could talk to the artists who had created paintings, prints, and mixed media works; woven kete and hangings, hand spun and woven and felted pieces, cushions, lavender ladies, hand-built ceramic pieces, Christmas decorations, cushions, needle-felted creatures; a re-designed chair; and the odd felted toucan “hanging out”. All proving how versatile the members of the Arts Collective are.
The talented Arts Collective artists had their art on display throughout the garden and many happy visitors left with treasures and gifts tucked under their arms.
The Arts Collective committee assessed the second Arty Farty Garden Party as very successful.
Before the “paint dries”, members will be wasting no time in getting their art pieces ready for the Harcourts Challenge and Big Arts Day Out at Waitangi weekend. And of course, this starts with a very popular wine and cheese preview and prizegiving on the Friday evening, Friday February 5.
Spring Mingle 2020
Our “Third Time Lucky” Mingle
As our chairperson, Graeme Smith said in his address at the Spring Mingle. “It’s been like we have been on a train but each time it stops, we have been at the wrong station.” Of course, this was due to changing Covid restrictions in a very strange, at times stressful, year.
But finally on the third attempt it happened! The date, the venue and even the name changed. So the MIdWinter Mingle became the Spring Mingle on Sunday October 4 at the Whangamata Club restaurant.
And it went off!!!
We sold 216 tickets and the artists and art lovers that attended had the best day. The art exhibition looked amazing displayed on the easels, especially crafted by Graeme, and sales were made on the day; the talented musicians entertained with enthusiasm and volume! and the food was non-stop plates of deliciousness, thanks to the talented chefs and Alyshia at the Whangamata Club. In fact, we were so blown away by the food we have arranged for the Club chefs to cater for our Wine and Cheese preview for the Harcourts Challenge at Waitangi Weekend, on Friday 5 Feb, 5.30 – 7.30pm. Mark it in your diaries!
We have a continuing relationship with the Whangamata Club, in that we have a programme of changing art displays on the walls of the restaurant. Check it out when you are next dining there.
Thanks to all of you, both artists and supporters, who helped make the Spring Mingle such a fantastic success.
As our chairperson, Graeme Smith said in his address at the Spring Mingle. “It’s been like we have been on a train but each time it stops, we have been at the wrong station.” Of course, this was due to changing Covid restrictions in a very strange, at times stressful, year.
But finally on the third attempt it happened! The date, the venue and even the name changed. So the MIdWinter Mingle became the Spring Mingle on Sunday October 4 at the Whangamata Club restaurant.
And it went off!!!
We sold 216 tickets and the artists and art lovers that attended had the best day. The art exhibition looked amazing displayed on the easels, especially crafted by Graeme, and sales were made on the day; the talented musicians entertained with enthusiasm and volume! and the food was non-stop plates of deliciousness, thanks to the talented chefs and Alyshia at the Whangamata Club. In fact, we were so blown away by the food we have arranged for the Club chefs to cater for our Wine and Cheese preview for the Harcourts Challenge at Waitangi Weekend, on Friday 5 Feb, 5.30 – 7.30pm. Mark it in your diaries!
We have a continuing relationship with the Whangamata Club, in that we have a programme of changing art displays on the walls of the restaurant. Check it out when you are next dining there.
Thanks to all of you, both artists and supporters, who helped make the Spring Mingle such a fantastic success.
