Horowhenua art and craft Christmas show brings out all creatives

The Horowhenua Art Society's annual Christmas market, held last Friday and Saturday, was abuzz with artists and shoppers.

The local art and craft community had come out of their studios, backyard sheds, art gallery and other places where they practice their weaving, painting, wood-crafting or knitting to showcase their work to the wider community.

Among them was self-taught oil painter Ora Williams, who moved from Christchurch five years ago after living through the earthquakes. This was her first time selling her partially recycled creations since moving here. She would like to find somewhere to teach people to recycle and repurpose.

Painter and photographer Melda Gibson has been painting since high school. She likes to experiment with watercolours and acrylics, and her favourite thing to paint is horses.

Sisters-in-law Win Rose and Jean Kay, along with friend Diane Atkinson, all participate in the Arts Society classes. They like to paint, sew, knit and create different crafts. Jean said it was a lovely hobby.

Levin, Spinners and Weavers Guild member Charmaine Fluker enjoys the fellowship of the club. She also likes the trips the club takes, such as visiting the alpaca farm.

The major event for the club is the Spin-in, where weavers and spinners from around the country gather to trade. Charmaine said they mostly "sit, spin and gossip".

Levin woman Linda Jansen has been involved in woodcraft for the past seven years.

She designs and paints garden signs, kitchen signs, butterflies, door silhouettes and paper towel holders. Her husband does the woodcutting using a jigsaw to her designs, and Linda does the painting.

On her stall she had a wide variety or articles available.

Linda said she started out in folk art by doing a class one day and her art has just evolved from there.

The market is on Friday and Saturday December 7 and 8 from 10am to 4pm at the Levin Memorial Hall.