Art lovers rally to support creative festival

Organisers of this year's inaugural Kokomai Creative Festival have been thrilled with the community support they have received to date.

The festival in October will take place across a range of venues and showcase Wairarapa talent with the theme Flight of the Imagination.

"We've had a terrific response from artists wanting to run workshops during the festival," said artistic director Heidi Holbrook.

"And at the weekend we had 15 people who volunteered their time for a special Kokomai photo shoot.

"The feedback we'vereceived from the creative community has also been fantastic.

"This was reflected at the weekend, when we had hair and make-up artists, an artistic director, photographers, costume designers and models all volunteer their time to help us create a truly memorable photo for the festival that will be unveiled to the public later in the year."

Kokomai will feature workshops and performances of music, visual arts, film, dance, theatre, culinary arts and literature across the region.

The festival is to be held from October 18-27 at venues across Wairarapa.

See www.kokomai.co.nz.