You’ve got to get in quick to secure a place at the Opening Cocktail Launch Event for this year’s Raglan Arts Weekend (RAW), which promises to be a festive start to ‘all things art’ over Labour Weekend.
Lucky attendees will be treated to a welcoming champagne cocktail as well as a delicious and abundant hearty grazing table at Iso Bistro, which has been booked out exclusively for this year’s RAW launch event on Thursday 24th October. It will be a relaxed affair and will give RAW artists a chance to celebrate their hard work, as well as meet guests ahead of a very busy weekend.
The cocktail launch is part of a campaign called ‘Artist Connect’ which is developed in partnership with the team at Bayleys Real Estate in Raglan and is running for its second year. It’s directly preceded by an artist studio tour by coach for participating RAW artists only, designed to get artists to meet each other and be inspired by other artworks and studios they visit.
“Being an artist often means solitary work, and gatherings like these are vital to not only foster connections but also to share knowledge and experience,” says Nicky Brzeska, RAW Co-Ordinator since 2019. “ ‘Artist Connect’ is the direct result of artist feedback gathered from RAW survey data, and by talking to the artists over the past three RAWs about what they really want to see and do. Being collaborative, learning from peers and mentors, and seeing what else is out there are top of the list,” says Nicky. “Thanks to Bayleys Real Estate in Raglan, we can continue to develop this important programme for both RAW and our local artist community.”
Another key local sponsor for the second year running is Rangitahi Peninsula, who have been phenomenal in their support of RAW and have really helped the event to step up to the next level. “Sam and the team at Rangitahi really get our vision to make RAW more experiential and immersive and have given us their complete back up to bring it to life in fun and tangible ways. We’re even discussing a sculpture trail in future years which would be super cool,” adds Nicky. “It’s also worth noting that The Hatch wouldn’t be possible without the team at Rangitahi either, so we’re incredibly grateful for their partnership.”
Further afield, the prestigious Chartwell Trust has also shown its support by its long term partnership and commitment to RAW. The grants that are provided year after year have enabled RAW to smarten up and promote its brand, from a new logo to an e-commerce enabled web site, RAW artist flags, street signage as well as both public relations and social media programmes.
Other grants come from the Raglan Community Board and the Waikato District Creative Communities. Tony Sly along with other local businesses have also dug deep to help bring RAW to visitors, despite a slugging economy and much pressure in the retail sector.
Tickets for the opening launch party at Iso Bistro on 24th October cost $45 and include a welcome drink and hearty grazing table. Buy tickets from www.raglanartsweekend.nz
RAW is an open studio self-guided trail over Labour Weekend from 26 to 28 October 2024.The Hatch, RAW’s emerging artist exhibition, opens on Friday 25th October, and will run for the duration of RAW.
Both Rangitahi and Bayleys Real Estate show their support for local artists over Labour Weekend too. Visit Rangitahi to see 4 artists in action at The Hub and at Omahina Street. The Bayleys Raglan office on Bow Street will have ‘The Art of Surf’ exhibition over RAW.
Visit www.raglanartsweekend.nz or pick up a Raglan Arts Guide brochure from the Old School, The Hut at Rangitahi, the Bayleys Raglan office, iHub or other local establishments in town.
