Rotorua Art in the Park a family day out to find treasures

Sophie Perry is a new stall holder at Art in the Park this year with her screen printing. Photo/Stephen Parker

Engaging with artists and finding treasures to take home are just two reasons people should head along to this year's Art in the Park.

Art in the Park is being held on Sunday February 18, from 10am to 4pm, in the Government Gardens.

The Arts Village manager Mary-Beth Acres says the event has been running in one form or another for many years, and by their records this is the 20th event.

She says there will be all kinds of stalls and art-makers involved - from painting and pottery to jewellery making, mosaics, and garden art.

"There is a price range to suit budgets both little and big, and buying from these stalls means you are supporting local artists and makers which we love to see.

"Often at markets artists have to compete against imported products which can make things difficult - those markets have their place but this is more of a showcase of local talent and we are thrilled to have 60 artist-run stalls for visitors to peruse in the beautiful Government Gardens.

"We also have a fantastic line up of musicians joining us on the day and a free activity for young ones."

The Arts Village Cafe will be trading from 10am to 2pm just up the road and the village's exhibitions will be open to view.

First-time stall holder Sophie Perry says Art in the Park gives artists' a great opportunity to profile themselves and their creative achievements.

Sophie is looking forward to being able to engage with those who go along and says it is a fun day out for the family.

"You can see what everyone is doing with all the local art people create and crafts people do. There's a lot of talent here."

Sophie fell in love with screen printing at university, so thought why not make a business out of something she loves?

"It's still fairly new to me, and this is my first market ever! I'm nervous but quietly excited too."

She has been creating recycled notebooks and original prints for her stall.

Sophie is hoping - weather permitting - to demonstrate her screen printing at Art in the Park at set times throughout the day so people can see her in action.

She says she would also love to do a printmaking activity for a gold coin donation.

Sophie will talk about her community workshops coming up in March.

There are screen print workshops for ages 15 up, priced at $65 for a six hour introduction into the basics of screen printing and free printmaking for children from age 3.

Enrolments can be done online at www.winifredslane.com.

Tabitha Ramsay, also a first-time stall holder, creates resin mixed media, under her business name Art by Tab.

She will sell little resin pendants and advertise her adult art and craft workshops.

Some of her other resin works will be on display.

Tabitha says she loves the spontaneity of this style of artwork, which she has been doing for about two years.

She encourages people to go along to Art in the Park.

"Anything creative enhances a person's well-being, whether that's checking it out, participating or learning."