Media: Raglan Community Arts Council, 14.12.2015
Inspiring Art and Tasty Food are on the Menu over Auckland Anniversary Weekend at the Raglan Arts Weekend and Little Food Fest
Raglan artists will throw open the doors of their studios during the long Anniversary Weekend for the town’s seventh annual Arts Weekend. Around 30 artists will be exhibiting over the three days, showcasing an impressive range of painting, ceramics, photography, jewellery and wearable art.
“The Raglan Arts Weekend is the highlight of the Raglan arts calendar,” says arts facilitator Jacqueline Anderson. “We have a very talented group of artists in our little community and it’s always exciting to see them unveil their latest pieces.”
Many artists will be exhibiting from their own studios, while others will be located within the Old School Arts Centre on Stewart Street. All work will be available for purchase, and the artists themselves will be in attendance to chat about their ideas and creative processes.
This year, for the first time, they’ll also be an Exhibition and Silent Auction taking place at the Old School. This will feature one piece of artwork from every artist taking part in the weekend.
“The Exhibition is a great way to get a feel for each artist’s work, and we recommend starting your weekend here,” says Jacqueline. “Once you’ve had a browse and maybe placed a bid, you can pick up a copy of the Raglan Arts Weekend Guide and head out and explore.”
Another good reason to make a stop at the Old School is the Little Food Fest, featuring a tasty array of foods and beverages from local growers and producers. The Little Food Fest, which takes place on the Saturday and Sunday, was first added to the Arts Weekend last year and proved an instant hit. Vendors will be dishing up a mouth-watering selection of treats, from shareable plates to home-made pies and all-natural ice-blocks, and they’ll also be live music to add to the festival experience.
The Artists’ Open Studios are open for viewing on Saturday 30 January, Sunday 31 January and Monday 1 February, from 10am to 3pm. A select number of studios will be open until 5pm, see the Raglan Arts Weekend Guide for full details. The Old School Exhibition and Silent Auction will be open daily from 16 January to 1 February, 10am-3pm. The Little Food Fest takes place on Saturday 30 January and Sunday 31 January, from 10am to 3pm at the Old School Arts Centre.
Copies of the official Raglan Arts Weekend Guide are available for download here or you can get a copy at the Raglan i-SITE (15 Wainui Rd), the Raglan Old School Arts Centre (5 Stewart St), at Raglan cafes and galleries and other locations around the Waikato.
You can also check out participating artists’ work via www.facebook.com/raglanart.