Art mingle at last in Whangamata Art Collective

Bernadette Ross and Kaetaeta Watson enjoying a catch up at the Arts Collective Whangamata event. PHOTO/Alison Smith.

It took almost six months and three postponements, but the Whangamata Art Collective pushed through the seasons to bring a hotly anticipated and sold out showcase of local art and music.

The event was initially scheduled to take place as an Easter Open Studio Art Tour which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

It was then decided after lockdown that a Mid-Winter Mingle would be held, and when this too was cancelled due to Auckland's return to a level three lockdown, the event became the Spring Mingle.

Finally, it was held on a sunny Sunday a fortnight ago, with all tickets sold out for a vivacious celebration of the creativity that has thrived in 2020.

Lynne Robinson, a tireless promoter of the Arts Collective Whangamata. PHOTO/Alison Smith.

Artwork from photography, paintings, wooden and stone sculpture, fibre artwork and mixed media was displayed on easels made with funding thanks to a Thames-Coromandel District Council contestable grant.

Gretha Whyte, fibre artist, at the Arts Collective Whangamata. PHOTO/Alison Smith.

The impressive display included pieces by Whangamata's youth, and at least one piece of photography by Jasper Pickett, two-times winner of the youth art award presented by Harcourts Whangamata, was sold.

The event featured musical artists from the area who entertained those enjoying the art over nibbles and a drink.

Arts Collective Whangamata.

- What's On Labour Weekend
Art @ 129: Walk, ride or drive to 129 Moana Anu Anu Ave, Whangamata, on Labour weekend Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm, where an eclectic group of artists will display and sell their work. Celebrated flax weaver Bernie Ross, whose work is in galleries of Wellington, Hamilton and Coromandel, hosts this studio opening at her home, along with Maree Burt (portraiture), Heather Watt (mixed media, acrylic painting), Laureen Walker (mixed media) and Jess Nichols (corten steel garden sculpture) and Noel Snook (graphic artist).