Creative Norsewood hub is tourist drawcard

Norsewood artist Harriet Selfe, resident Jim Trotter and Phil Grant, owner of the New Zealand Natural Clothing Company. Photo/Christine McKay

When Norsewood's Jim Trotter walked into the art gallery at the New Zealand Natural Clothing Company, the last thing he expected to see was his reflection in a drawing.

At the opening of the art gallery at the natural clothing outlet in Norsewood in February, Mr Trotter's wife, Sue, had entered him into a competition for a drawing by Harriet Selfe.

Mrs Trotter supplied Harriet Selfe with a photo but didn't let her husband know what was going on.

Staring at himself in the detailed drawing, Mr Trotter was stunned.

"It's brilliant, it's definitely me," he said.

The Selfe family are relatively new arrivals in Norsewood and brought their wide artistic talents with them, turning lower Norsewood into a special creative hub, Phil Grant, co-owner of the clothing company, said.

"With the Selfes across the road, the art gallery, master carver Geoff Bryant and the Wop Wop wetlands, we are a growing creative hub, drawing people here," Mr Grant said.

"The New Zealand Natural Clothing Company attracts 40,000 customers a year - good numbers. Our whole region is benefiting from having the Selfe family here."

Harriet Selfe has loved art since she was a child and studied at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts last year.

She's now studying to be an art teacher at Massey University in Palmerston North.

Drawing is her preferred type of art and she has works for sale in the gallery.

People will have an opportunity to win themselves a portrait at the Selfe family show at the Old Dairy Factory on Sunday, August 20.

Known as the Von Trapps of Norsewood, the Selfes - Emily, Benjamin, Harriet, Kirsten and David - will be performing in a music, drama and arts show.

"Come prepared for anything," David said.

* Selfe Expression, Sunday, August 20, at 3pm, at The Old Dairy Factory, 76 Hovding St, Norsewood. Entry $5 at the door, which includes afternoon tea.