The Arts Collective Mid Winter Mingle on Sunday August 8, 2021 was fantastic.
An estimated 180 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.
37 artists exhibited their art, both 2D and 3D and in a wide variety of media and it was so exciting to have some new younger members involved, adding a youthful vibrancy to the exhibition.
Music lovers were seen tapping in time or singing along to the music of Andy and Adele, Evan, Jono, and Jim and Denise;while some visitors chose to relax in a quieter space with friends in the expanded lounge area.
Thanks to the generosity of gallery owners Faye Saunders and Michelle Crook and the Whangamata Club, we were able to have a four-draw raffle, and almost everyone bought tickets. People love raffles!
There were some good sales too, 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. Next year, we will follow a suggestion by one of the artists to have “Artist” badges to help in that engagement.
Yes It looks like the Mid Winter Mingle will be a regular fixture on the Whangamata Arts Collective calendar.
An estimated 180 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.
37 artists exhibited their art, both 2D and 3D and in a wide variety of media and it was so exciting to have some new younger members involved, adding a youthful vibrancy to the exhibition.
Music lovers were seen tapping in time or singing along to the music of Andy and Adele, Evan, Jono, and Jim and Denise;while some visitors chose to relax in a quieter space with friends in the expanded lounge area.
Thanks to the generosity of gallery owners Faye Saunders and Michelle Crook and the Whangamata Club, we were able to have a four-draw raffle, and almost everyone bought tickets. People love raffles!
There were some good sales too, 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. Next year, we will follow a suggestion by one of the artists to have “Artist” badges to help in that engagement.
Yes It looks like the Mid Winter Mingle will be a regular fixture on the Whangamata Arts Collective calendar.
Saturday 3rd April - Sunday 4th April - Easter Open Studio Trail : A review of the 2021 Whangamata Arts Collective Easter Open Studio trail event.The sun shone, the crowds came to town and the Whangamata artists shone as well!!
It is hard to know how many visitors followed the Open Studio trail this year, but it seemed quite a few more than the trail 2 years ago, and of course it didn’t happen last year due to Covid lockdown. This year it happened with pizzazz!
Several hundred visitors took the opportunity to see behind scenes of the artists’ work spaces and meet the artists . And itwas great that many visitors went that extra distance to Whiritoa and Opoutere, as well as enjoying the central Hubs and studios.
Feedback was excellent with people commenting on the friendly welcoming reception, the vibrant colourful ambience at the Hubs and Studios and the incredible range of creative styles and media: woven and fabric art, delicate and robust ceramics, wood-turned bowls and vases, funky and fantasy art, resin on wood art, brilliant photographic art, hand-created etching and collagraphs, mixed media, sculpture, mosaics of all descriptions, intricate quilling, carving combining both traditional and contemporary elements of Maori art, raranga, charcoal drawing, digital graphic art, every painting style imaginable, and, and, and…
And much of this art was created by new members to the Arts Collective, helping achieve a main goal of the committee: to grow the membership. It was also rewarding to see this new membership embracing younger members.
As a perfect complement to the visual art, musicians, Johno, Andy Warneford and Jim Carbery sang and played acoustic guitar at Hubs, illustrating that we are a Collective of the Arts!
The vibe was amazing. We certainly live in a creative community and it was so good to share it with so many visitors and locals.
It is hard to know how many visitors followed the Open Studio trail this year, but it seemed quite a few more than the trail 2 years ago, and of course it didn’t happen last year due to Covid lockdown. This year it happened with pizzazz!
Several hundred visitors took the opportunity to see behind scenes of the artists’ work spaces and meet the artists . And itwas great that many visitors went that extra distance to Whiritoa and Opoutere, as well as enjoying the central Hubs and studios.
Feedback was excellent with people commenting on the friendly welcoming reception, the vibrant colourful ambience at the Hubs and Studios and the incredible range of creative styles and media: woven and fabric art, delicate and robust ceramics, wood-turned bowls and vases, funky and fantasy art, resin on wood art, brilliant photographic art, hand-created etching and collagraphs, mixed media, sculpture, mosaics of all descriptions, intricate quilling, carving combining both traditional and contemporary elements of Maori art, raranga, charcoal drawing, digital graphic art, every painting style imaginable, and, and, and…
And much of this art was created by new members to the Arts Collective, helping achieve a main goal of the committee: to grow the membership. It was also rewarding to see this new membership embracing younger members.
As a perfect complement to the visual art, musicians, Johno, Andy Warneford and Jim Carbery sang and played acoustic guitar at Hubs, illustrating that we are a Collective of the Arts!
The vibe was amazing. We certainly live in a creative community and it was so good to share it with so many visitors and locals.
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.
