Record for art show
This year’s Tararua Art Exhibition has attracted over 250 entries — a record for the event, which is now in its sixth year.
The event is open to artists across the wider Manawatu¯ Whanganui region and Tararua artists in particular are encouraged to enter.
One of the organisers, Paula McCool, said that a lot of entries were from first time entrants to the exhibition.
“We are really pleased that most of last year’s exhibitors have entered again and this year there are a lot of new artists, more photo entries, and more sculpture.”
The first two exhibitors to drop off their work at the Woodville racecourse were Melissa Reiri from Woodville and Annette Judd from Palmerston North. Melissa exhibited at the event last year and this time she has two entries made from Harakeke Muka — the heart of the flax leaf.
“I extract the fibre from the middle of the flax — the muka, by scraping it with a mussel shell,” she said.
Self-taught as an artist for four years, Melissa then embarked on a four-year Bachelor of Ma¯ ori Visuals Arts at Te Wa¯ nanga o Aotearoa and is in her final year. She also runs adult Ma¯ ori weaving classes in Pahiatua.
Annette Judd has exhibited widely around the country after her career as a nurse and after taking up a correspondence art course in the 1980s. Annette was born in Woodville.
“I had two great-aunts who were artistic and I have always been interested in art,” she said.
The exhibition and runs till March 8 from 10am to 3pm at the Woodville Racecourse. Entry is free.
All artwork is for sale and EFTPOS is available.