One of the Waikato’s best visual arts events, the Raglan Arts Weekend (RAW) returns to wow visitors this Labour Weekend with over 65 artists throwing open their studio doors to welcome guests.
Art aficionados can grab an official RAW map to not only discover Raglan’s finest artists, but also explore the beautiful Whaingaroa coastline on a self-guided trail of the 42 studios. There is something for everyone, from large stone sculptures, painting, illustration and designer jewellery, to shibori silk techniques, large-scale street art, Kākahu weaving and an ‘Art of Surf’ exhibition, as well as clay, homewares, woodwork, graffiti, photography and more.
“I often get asked about what’s new, and this year I have really been struck by the bringing back of more ancient, old-school techniques to do one’s art, with some of our artists going abroad to go deep into their practice,” says Nicky Brzeska, who has run RAW for five years.
“Jean Carbon uses ancient resist dying techniques of Shibori and clamped blocks to pattern glorious silk fabrics, whilst David Loughlin in The Hatch uses a 150 year old camera to produce eerily beautiful photographs. Then you’ve got the intriguing French ethical taxidermist Annick Faubert with her refreshing take on the age-old practice, and bespoke hat maker Labour of Wild who uses a traditional alchemy of heat, steam and pressure for her designs,” Nicky says. “What I just love about RAW is that you get into these creative processes and brilliant minds. It’s very inspiring.”
Visitors will also be treated to two live installations in Volcom Lane by established artist Simon Dickey, as well as an interactive performance piece by Elisabeth Denis, ‘Cold-Blooded-Dermatographic-Locution’, at Little Hill Studios on the Saturday evening. There are also workshops by various artists throughout the weekend.
“One of the initiatives that we are very excited about is our collaboration with Raglan’s first Country and Blues Festival, which will be running alongside RAW this year,” says Nicky. “We’re looking forward to the buzz in town with outdoor busking and gigs as well as indoor concerts from morning to night.”
RAW Open Studios: Sat 26th Oct to Mon 28th Oct, 10am to 5pm, free.
RAW Preview Exhibition: Fri 4th Oct to Mon 28th Oct, Old School Arts Centre, 10am to 2pm, free.
Opening Cocktail Night and Dinner: Thurs 24th Oct, 6.30pm, Iso Bistro, Ticketed. $45
Opening of The Hatch: Fri 25th Oct, 6.30pm, Town Hall, free.
RAW is a Creative Raglan event brought to you by the Raglan Community Arts Council, a not-for-profit organization.
RAW would like to thank the following organizations for their partnership. It’s tough times and these partners are digging deep! Special thanks to Rangitahi Peninsula for their investment and partnership, as well as Bayleys Real Estate in Raglan, Tony Sly, and Palm Prints for their ongoing support. Also thanks to The Chartwell Trust, Waikato District Council Creative Communities, Raglan Community Board, Freedom to Fly, Bing Ceramics, Raglan Country and Blues Festival, Artists at Work Gallery, the Old School Arts Centre, Rivet, Raglan Holiday Park, Raglan Sunset Motel, Clare Wimmer, Amanda Watson, Jet, The Stoned Cow, The Monster Company, Raglan Sign Company and Mafia Design.
Top 5 things to do this RAW
Head to the Preview Exhibition which opens 4 October 2024 to get a taste of what’s in store, bag a special artwork (some at a fraction of their value in our $200 exhibition), grab a map, plan your trail and be inspired!
Buy a ticket for our Opening Cocktail Night at Iso Bistro on Thursday, 24th October, brought to you by the team at Bayleys Real Estate in Raglan. $45 will get you a welcoming drink and dinner.
Come to the opening of The Hatch, our emerging artists exhibition in the Town Hall on Friday 25th October at 6.30pm. Thanks to Rangitahi Peninsula and a grant from the Waikato District Council Creative Communities
Pick up a Raglan Arts Guide from the Old School, iHub or any shops around town and support our artists and pay it forward to the sponsors behind RAW that are featured in the brochure
Get amongst it by attending a Country and Blues concert, seeing an installation, doing a workshop, watching an interactive performance piece or just soaking up the atmosphere
