Art takes root in Quarry Gardens

The new visitor centre at Whangarei Quarry Gardens is weeks from opening its doors.

Working bees are becoming more frenetic as builders, artists and volunteers gear up for Northland Sculpture Exhibition - set to coincide with the opening of the garden's new $800,000 visitor centre.

Seventy works by Northland sculptors will nestle into Whangarei's Quarry Gardens in the coming weeks, in preparation for the fourth exhibition, where artists take inspiration from the gardens. Nadine Whitton of Whangarei Garden Discovery is helping to organise the event.

Sen McGlinn is first off the sculpting blocks - putting together his piece on site at Whangarei's Quarry Gardens. Photo / Michael Cuningham

"Every artist gets to walk around and chose a spot," she said. "Some look at their spot and use it to inspire what they're going to make. They [the sculptures] are all for sale and there's a huge variety of mediums. Corten steel, stone, ceramics, even fabric."

Kawakawa artist Sen McGlinn loved the garden environment so much he had opted to construct his tepee-style wooden sculpture on site. His 7-metre wide piece Walk Right In can be entered and seen from the inside out.

Mr McGlinn said it demonstrated a technique for creating dynamic spaces in wood and was a reminder of the important role of pinus radiata in the Northland economy.

Ms Whitton said a core part of the event was getting people to enjoy spring at the gardens, which were maintained almost entirely by volunteers.

"[It's] very surprising how many haven't been to the Quarry Gardens. Last year we attracted heaps of international people. They said the gardens are on par with any gardens done by volunteers around the world."

The opening of the exhibition will be celebrated with a champagne reception on the evening of November 6, also marking the unveiling of the visitor centre.

The centre will feature a meeting room for volunteers and local groups, public toilets, a manager's office, outdoor seating areas, kitchen facilities, and a cafe for about 80 people. The centre has been under construction since the start of 2014.

"They're really working so hard to get it finished in time," Ms Whitton said. "I think the poor man in charge of the garden may drop dead by the time the event is on."

-More information on the exhibition can be found at the "events" page at whangareigardens.org.nz. The exhibition is open 9am to 4pm from November 7 to 15.