Whangamata Easter Arts Trail - 19 & 20 April 2025

Organised by the Arts Collective Whangamata

A great weekend but sad too

As a past member of the New Zealand Mosaic Art (NZMA) group I had the opportunity to attend a two day workshop, run by Australian mosaic artist Deanna Kernick, on "Realism in Stained Glass". This was held at the Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa. It was great to go back there (it used to be my local arts centre when I lived in Millwater) and to meet up with some of the NZMA members. I joined this group when I attended their Symposium and Workshops, at this location, back in 2016.

Here is an 'in progress' photo of my stained glass mosaic. It is over 20 years since I have done this type of glass work but the skills came back quite easily. It did however remind me why I switched from using stained glass to making mosaics with polymer clay, which I much prefer.

This weekend was great in terms of re-connecting with NZMA members but also very sad, as the organisation will close down on 31 March 2025 due to lack of volunteers to replace those retiring from the committee. I was pleased to be a part of their last event but sorry that this National mosaic art group, with so many talented and passionate members, will cease to exist.

My stand at BADO 2025

I had a great weekend over the 25 & 26 January, meeting many people, demonstrating how I make my Swirl-StoNZ, and making sales.

The winner of the raffle (ticket #008) for the 'Whangamata Orb' was delighted. They said they never won raffles and later sent me a message to say it looked good on their bookcase.
 

Picture SOLD on the opening night

I was thrilled to sell my latest mosaic artwork on the opening night of the Harcourts Challenge Exhibition/Big Arts Day Out.

SOLD
"A wonderful day to remember"

My two entries for the Harcourts Challenge 2025

The theme of this years Challenge is 'The Senses'. There are 4 categories: Sight, Smell, Taste and Touch.

Entry 1- Category: Sight

" A wonderful day to remember"
polymer clay mosaic, 40 cm x 60 cm

A cruise ship stop at Mystery Island and my first experience of walking on coral sand, sitting under majestic palm trees, drinking from a fresh coconut. This was a wonderful day to remember on a special holiday, to celebrate my 50th birthday, cruising the Western Pacific Islands.

Entry 2 - Category: Smell

"Kakara" (fragrance bowl)
polymer clay mosaic, 12 cm diameter

Kakara is the Māori word for aromatic, fragrant, sweet-smelling. For the exhibition, I will place a Freesia & Jasmine reed scented diffuser in the bowl, to provide the actual scent that the floral images in the mosaic convey. 

Below is a photograph taken at the exhibition.

Harcourts Challenge & Big Arts Day Out 2025

I have two entries in the Harcourts Challenge and a stand at the Big Arts Day Out, where I will be demonstrating how I make my Swirl-StoNZ. Looking forward to these events over the Auckland Anniversary weekend, it will be a feast of creativity!