Hundreds of visitors from all over New Zealand hit the Raglan Arts Weekend (RAW) trail over the anniversary weekend.
From Whale Bay to Te Mata, Ruapuke to the Wharf, Raglan artists opened their studios, galleries and homes over the three-day weekend.
Raglan Old School Arts Centre manager Jacqueline Anderson says the unusual hot and humid conditions were a challenge for both artists and visitors, and may have slowed the art aficionados down in their travels.
“Despite the toasty extremes it was a pleasure and delight to visit artist studios both new and experienced, with each artist rising to the challenge of opening their homes and studios and welcoming visitors. I’m sure all visitors took away a bit of creativity, a bit of imagination, a bit of inspiration, and left with a connection in some way to the artist they visited.”
New to the arts weekend, wife and husband duo Sarah Bing and Dave Duffin say visitors to the gallery were steady throughout the weekend.
Sarah treated visitors to art creation in-action as she worked on ceramic sculptures in the studio/gallery beneath the couple’s Upper Wainui home.
Also participating for the first-time, artist Gila Cohen from Ahoy Creative Crew says the exposure RAW provided for their gallery in Bankart St is invaluable, with out-of-towners and some locals visiting for the first time during the three-day weekend.
The Emerging Artists Exhibition: No Rules Here at the town hall proved popular with visitors getting the opportunity to view the works of 26 local artists new to the art scene.
Curator Maryann Tuao says the arts weekend provides up-and-coming artists with exposure to a large audience, and the chance to experience setting up an exhibition and talking to people about their work.
“The highlight for the artists was the networking opportunities, selling their work and they were thrilled when some of the established Raglan artists visited the exhibition as well.”
Jacqueline says the Raglan Community Arts Council thanks all the 2018 participating artists, the Whaingaroa community who supported local artists by bringing family and friends along to visit the artist studios and RAW major sponsors Tony Sly Pottery, Waikato District Creative Communities NZ, Waikato District Council and local business advertisers.
“They all contributed to making our little arts weekend the success that it was.”
Janine Jackson
Pictured above: Art enthusiasts check out Chris Meek’s artwork on display at Studeo Gallery on Cross St. Image thanks to Leighton Davies
