As the RAW team prepares for the 14th annual Raglan Arts Weekend event, the home fires are being lit for the newly established platform dedicated to emerging artists in the Whaingaroa community, The Hatch.
According to Caleb Osborne, who is managing The Hatch for its second year running, “The Hatch shines a light on the diverse and skilled emerging artists we have in the Whaingaroa community, providing a platform and guidance around the exhibition and promotion of creative works.”
There are only 15 spaces available for this opportunity and applications for The Hatch 2024 close in just over a week on the 31st of May. Interested artists should head to the RAW web site and look under ‘Emerging Artists’ for the application details which specify the simple entry requirements and how to apply. Artists will not require a large body of work either, with the focus on quality at a manageable level for each artist.
The importance of this project, as Caleb says, “helps to break down barriers that emerging artists can experience, not only through providing an exhibition platform but also connecting with the creative community, sharing skills and experience and exposing artists’ work to a diverse audience.”
Nicky Brzeska, RAW Coordinator adds: “We had a brilliant response from our sponsors, community, and RAW event attendees last year, with around 1500 visitors including gallery owners and members of the arts community within the Waikato and beyond. We’ve seen opportunities arise for some of The Hatch 2023 artists, which has been a strong endorsement of the work it took to pull The Hatch off in its inaugural year and testament to the calibre of artists in Raglan.”
Two of RAW’s former ‘Hatchlings’, Zasha Skye and Eliza Adams, have now migrated from The Hatch into the main RAW event for 2024.
This year Zasha will be exhibiting at Wabi Sabi, as well as holding her own opening night before RAW kicks off. “Being a part of The Hatch Exhibition Opening with 14 other artists is a great opportunity,” says Zasha. “With such a diverse profile of artists, it guarantees a new audience who might never have interacted with your work before. I found The Hatch provided the perfect space to showcase work in, especially if it is your first time being a part of RAW and you are unsure where Raglan might hold space for you.”
Eliza Adams will be exhibiting in the Town Hall supper room, just adjacent to The Hatch, alongside her mother Loesje de Bree who has been a huge inspiration with her paintings and sculpture, and flax weaver Marianne Ashchenbrennar. “The Hatch offered such good support and advice in the lead up, helped create connections with other ‘Hatchlings’ and definitely eased my nerves. They even helped with set up and pack down as well as processing sales. I couldn’t have asked for much more,” she adds.
A massive shout out to the team at Rangitahi Peninsula for their generous support of this event, the Waikato District Council-Creative Communities Scheme, Waikato Society of Arts and the Whaingaroa community for helping put wind in The Hatch’s sails.
Application details can be found on www.raglanartsweekend.nz. Any questions can be sent to Caleb on rawemergingartist@outlook.co.nz
