RAGLAN ARTS WEEKEND EXPANDS BEYOND OPEN STUDIO ARTS TRAIL

Visitors to this year’s 13th annual Raglan Arts Weekend will be spoilt for choice with over 50 artists registered and a bunch of new initiatives to keep things fresh.

Set over Labour Day weekend from 21 to 23 October, this year’s RAW not only includes the self-guided open studio trail, but also an Emerging Artist group exhibition, an opening event at Rockit, an ‘artist-only’ coach tour to the studios for the registered artists, and a life drawing workshop for visitors.

Some very exciting new work is set to impress with artworks covering a broad spectrum of styles and techniques, from street and pop art using complex stencils, to traditional premium hat making and designer jewellery, to RAW’s usual award-winning painters and mixed media artists and photographers. There is also a touching posthumous entry for the late Geoff Irving, a local wood sculptor for over 40 years.

The event’s festivities kick off on Thursday 19th October with a ticketed opening night at Rock-It, thanks to a long-term partnership with Bayleys Real Estate. Everyone is welcome to come and meet the artists and share a celebratory drink and a ‘walk and fork’ menu ahead of the busy open studio weekend. The RAW artists will also be heading out on a Bayleys ‘Artist Connect’ bus tour to a selection of art studios so they get a chance to meet other participants and see other artist spaces.

Friday 20th October sees the opening of ‘The Hatch’, RAW’s emerging artists exhibition in the Town Hall for 16 of Whāingaroa’s up-and-coming artists. The opening is a free event for all at 6.30pm to meet RAW’s rising stars ahead of the weekend too. For those that can’t make the opening, ‘The Hatch’ group exhibition will be operating over RAW Saturday to Monday 10am until 5pm. A grant from Waikato District Council and Rangitahi Peninsula have made this possible this year.

“After the stop and start for RAW over the last two years, we’re now amped for 2023 and excited about how the event is evolving,” says Nicky Brzeska, RAW Coordinator since 2019. “We’ve always wanted to get a few more activities going in addition to the open studio weekend. As the event is improving, we’re starting to attract some top quality partners, such as the prestigious art foundation the Chartwell Trust, Rangitahi Peninsula and Bayleys Real Estate who want to help us take it to the next level.”

Other local businesses that have always been loyal to RAW include Palm Prints, Tony Sly, Little Hill Studios, Artists at Work Studios & Gallery, La Petite Galerie, Rivet, Monster Gallery, Jet, Raglan Sunset Motel and Raglan Holiday Park.

RAW Opening Night @ Rock-it; Thurs 19th Oct, 6.30pm to 8.30pm; tickets are $40 for a 4 course ‘walk and fork’ menu and drink upon arrival

‘The Hatch’ emerging artist exhibition Opening @ Town Hall; Fri 20th Oct, 6.30pm; free event

RAW Open studios self-guided art trail: Sat 21st Oct to Mon 23rd Oct, 10am to 5pm.

Information for RAW and tickets for the opening night can be bought at www.raglanartsweekend.nz.

RAW is a Create Raglan event that is run by the Raglan Community Arts Council.