Raglan Arts Weekend, planned for Easter, was launched almost two weeks ago but has now been postponed. Photo / Stuart Mackenzie
Raglan Arts Weekend, planned for Easter, was launched almost two weeks ago but has now been postponed. Photo / Stuart Mackenzie
Raglan Arts Weekend has been postponed but artists are planning to "paint up a storm" in lockdown with some beautiful new works expected.
The self-guided arts trail through Whaingaroa was to have been held over Easter, April 11 to 13.
The Raglan Old School Arts Centre is now closed due to the Covid-19 coronavirus alert system being raised to Level 4 which means the RAW Preview Exhibition is also closed.
Raglan Arts Weekend coordinator Nicky Brzeska says a new date for the weekend will be looked at once things are back to normal.
"We are so sad about the postponement of RAW but really in the context of what's happening, it seems like a tiny piece of the puzzle.
"It was turning out to be a difficult decision to make whether we go ahead or not, so in some ways, it was easier once the decision was made for us," she says.
"It's sad as a lot of energy, time and money has been invested by everyone so far — the artists, the sponsors, the organisers and of course our visitors. We'll take it day by day and make the appropriate decision in consultation with our artists."
An Arts Support Package the Government announced earlier may help financially for local artists, Nicky says.
"I've also heard some lovely little stories already from artists who are planning to 'paint up a storm' in isolation. We could have some beautiful artworks born out of probably one of the most significant events to happen to some of us in this lifetime."
Raglan Old School Arts Centre's office computer systems are cloud based with remote working available.
"We will continue to keep everyone updated as best we can," says centre manager via Jacqueline Anderson.
