Last weeks Clay Fiesta fundraiser for a new community kiln finished on a high on Friday night. Many visitors took advantage of the opportunity to have fun painting or carving their own tile. The tiles will form part of a set of 800 tiles for a new community art installation, depicting beautiful Whaingaroa and its wonderful people. Tile painters and carvers each $5 as a donation towards the new kiln. When the Clay Shed was first established by Clare Wimmer an old kiln was installed to get facility going. That kiln is now over 40 years old and the clay artists hope to replace it soon with a new kiln.
After the week of fund rasing they are now well on their way towards the $8,000 needed. And hundreds of tiles have been painted for the art installation. The tile painting and carving will now move into Raglan schools so that emerging clay artists make their contribution.