Festival to show off nature and art as local gardeners open their doors
Some years are just busier than others in Te Puke backyards.
And if your garden is in the BOP Garden and Art Festival, then this year is a busy one.
Among those beavering away on her property to get it festival ready is Colleen Pye.
She says her Rangiuru Road garden constantly evolves.
The booklet for the biennial event says festival goers paying the Pye property a visit can expect to wander through a Japanese garden, then down hidden paths. An eclectic mix of garden rooms and native planting are part of this garden of discovery.
During the November 17-20 festival, artist Heather Wratt, creator of sculptural felted pieces, will exhibit from this intriguing garden. Festival goers will witness how the process of delicate fibres being transformed into firm 3D objects inspires Wratt.
The Pye garden is one of many Te Puke gardens open for the festival, and Wratt one of many artists exhibiting locally.
The gardens of Ron and Pat Howie, Janet and Parmijit Singh and Lindsay and Wendy Marshall also feature.
Artists include Linda May (at the Singh property), while Rusticmetalart will be displayed at the Marshall garden.
Down the road in Pukehina, a working art studio and sculpture workshop awaits, thanks to the creativity of Clive Armstrong and Angela Mckenzie.
The 2022 festival offers 74 garden and art stops. Of these, 20 are art studio stops.
About 30 per cent of the gardens are new to the festival.
BOP Garden and Art Festival director Marc Anderson says, as usual, the gardens feature a mix of planting themes and range from rural and rambling to urban and compact.
In addition, there are twice as many art studio stops compared to the previous festival, and there will be a specific art studio trail marked out on the map to make it easier for art lovers to enjoy this aspect of the festival.
Tickets to the festival can be bought at Te Puke Florists or Pacifica Home and Garden Store in Pa¯ pa¯ moa. They’re also available further afield at Palmers Bethlehem (the festival’s returning garden and art trail sponsor), Decor Garden World, I-site Tauranga, Katchkatikati Information Centre, Eventfinda (service fees may apply), or at www. gardenandartfestival.co.nz. Tickets are $40 for one day, and $65 for multiple days.
If visiting gardens and art studios isn’t your thing, then the festival includes Bloom in the Bay too — at the festival’s hub at Tauranga Racecourse during the festival days.
Sponsored by Craigs Investment Partners, Bloom in the Bay is free for festival pass holders, and only $5 for others. Kids under 14 are free. On offer will be garden and outdoorrelated trade stalls, a selection of tiny houses, garden and art displays, inspirational speakers, presentations and workshops, creative demonstrations, flower displays, live entertainment, food, and a garden bar.
Visit www. gardenandartfestival.co.nz for more.