Page 28 - pākuViews Autumn/Winter 2013
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PAKU VIEWS
ISSUE 7 AUTUMN/WINTER 2013
ACCOMMODATION
ARBORIST
DECOR
ENGINEER
AUTO
ACCOMMODATION
About & Around THE COROMANDEL
021 177 1685
Specialists in
large & difficult removals
Ph 866 3301 or 0800 94 48 44
Climbing Arborists
Hedges
Quality Firewood
Tree Care
Mulch ...
& more
-
A Grade Mechanic
-
Courtesy Car
-
WOF’s
-
Tyres
-
Servicing
Ph
Malcolm 07 866 2120
8A Dakota Drive, Whitianga
“Four days of open studio tours in
March attracted 10,000 studio visits,
multiple stops by the estimated 1500
visitors, a 50% increase over last
year”, reports MBAE Administrator
Charlotte Giblin. “Even more
significant, 55-60% of these were
from outside the Coromandel area, a
great boon for both artists and local
Diverse Artwork on
Offer at Coromandel
Artstour
The weather gods were surely
shining down on the west coast of
the peninsula for the Coromandel
Artstour held May 4-5 and 13-14.
Although art lovers weren’t deterred
by a few showers the first weekend,
everyone revelled in the autumn
splendour of the second. Whatever
the weather, everyone relished the
opportunity to chat with artists in
their working environments – in
some cases as they create.
Capable coordinator Matt Sephton
tells us 9 new artists joined in this
year. The effort put into this event
is huge. Studios have to be made
visitor safe, and it was evident many
had been subjected to quite a bit of
‘spit and polish’.
“The artists were stoked!” says
Matt. “Most believe this was the
best Artstour ever in terms of
visitor numbers, with many here to
purchase artwork, and… more out-
of-towners than usual”.
29 talented artists opened
their studio doors, which for
Matt, “represents a growing art
community”, displaying a range of
mediums – from pottery to paint,
flax to fabrics, glass and restored
Successful Coromandel Art Tours popular with locals and visitors
Even though clouds loomed over most of
the Coromandel, sunshine was the order
of the day at this fundraising festival of
family fun held on April 20th at Matarangi.
Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust
was presented with $5000 raised from
the day, and attendees report the food
was delicious and affordably priced. The
entertainment had a crowd up dancing.
Andy Corles, cook-off contestant of
Castle Rock Café at Te Rerenga says,
“The cook-off was great fun. I just threw
together whatever I could from the
ingredients supplied, and I was really
thrilled to take out the win!”
This was an amazing first for Matarangi
and plans are underway for next year –
April 5th 2014. Make sure you’re there.
Even if it’s raining elsewhere, the sun
always shines at Matarangi!
– Sandra Scott
A Taste of Matarangi –
A fabulous day of food, wine & music by the beach
businesses”. At last tally, over 500
items of art were sold, estimated at
value of over $150,000.
“Many artists enjoyed repeat visits
over Easter, and reported lining up
future exhibitions because of their
participation”, says Charlotte. Plans
for this now annual event tentatively
include expanding tours to “three
day” weekends. Pencil in the first
two weekends of March for the 2014
Art Escape.
This year’s MBAE People’s Choice
Award was determined by voting
held at the Hot Waves Café’s month
long display. And the winner is...
Jacqueline Elley’s “Stand of Coffee
Pots.” Jacqui was presented with
a $200 prize voucher donated by
Gordon Harris, The Art & Graphic
Store. Paula McNeill won second
place, with Rick Swain a close third.
The MBAE Guidebook is still
available as a year-round resource
to local artists & cafés. Order online
at
Thanks to local sponsors Mercury
Bay Estate (vineyard), Hot Waves
Café, Cathedral Cove Macadamias
and Eggsentric Café.
furniture. The colours of the
Coromandel, native bush, landforms
and the bounty of the sea were all
well represented as subject matter.
If you haven’t experienced this great
self-drive tour you’ll have to wait now
until May 2014, but make sure you
purchase a guide booklet and visit
the studios of your choice then. A
great concept that is gaining a wider
audience. Fabulous art and a great
destination for art lovers!
–
Sandra Scott
Get on the emailing list by going to
email
Mercury Bay Art Escape Attracts
10,000 Studio Visits!
Stay Aboard...
Tairua’s Historic S.S. Ngoiro
On the water at the base of Paku
Starting at $30 per night
Book your bunk room or cabin now
through the Dive Shop, 07 864 8800
