My stand at the Big Arts Day Out 2026

Here are some shots of my stand.

General shot of my stand on a corner site

 

Swirl-StoNZ by Claire

Close-up (left)

Close-up (right)

Various Artworks (and demonstration table)

Close-up of Artworks

Celebration - SOLD on the Sunday

2026 Harcourts Challenge and Big Arts Day Out

I always look forward to this annual event. The theme for this years challenge is: North, East, South West.

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.
 

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!

Harcourts Challenge 2025 - Entry 2 is progressing very slowly

This will be my main entry, under the category Sight. The mosaic picture, titled "A wonderful day to remember", is from a memory. It is progressing very, very slowly! I have only completed the bottom third of the picture, as I write this before Christmas, and all the palm tree leaves yet to come are daunting. There is only a month left until submission and am seriously worried that I may not get it finished in time. 

I think this is likely to be my last dot mosaic picture, due to the time-consuming nature of the medium, so I have to get it finished for this competition. As I have been spending all my time on this artwork, I have not managed to create any new work to sell on my stand at the Big Arts Day Out, so this entry needs to be impressive.

My stand at BADO 2024

Here is my stand, set up for the Whangamata Arts Collective's 'Big Arts Day Out' event held over the weekend (27 & 28 January 2024).

Harcourts Challenge & BADO 2024

I have finished my entry for this years Harcourts Challenge. I chose Air (from the four elements Fire, Earth, Water and Air); it is a 3D piece titled "Her scent lingered in the midnight air" (see photo below)

On the Saturday and Sunday (27 & 28 January) I will have a stand at the Big Arts Day Out, where I will be selling some of my dot painted artwork, other one of a kind pieces, and Swirl-StoNZ. I will also be working/demonstrating how I make the Swirl-StoNZ throughout the weekend.

"Her scent lingered in the midnight air"

Big Arts Day Out 2023

Despite the terrible weather over the weekend, with no out of town visitors being able to get to Whangamata on the Sunday due to road slips, this event was quite successful for me. As well as the sales from my stand, I also sold one of my two entries in the Harcourts Challenge, "Making a difference to our Oceans". It was nice to meet the purchasers, as it gave me the opportunity to explain how I made the piece and how it related to the theme of the competition.

Making a difference to our Oceans - SOLD

2022 Big Arts Day Out/Harcourts Challenge - photos

Really pleased with how this weekend turned out. Here are some photos.

My stand in the Big Arts Day Out hall

My two entries for the Harcourts Challenge - this years theme: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Whangamata News 04.02.2022

 After waiting nervously over the last few weeks, so pleased this event is still going ahead. Can't wait!

Big Arts Day Out and Harcourts Challenge - Waitangi Weekend 2022

This should be a great event over the Waitangi Weekend. I have two entries submitted for the Harcourts Challenge, this years theme is 'Looking Back, Looking Forward'. I will also have a stand in the other BADO hall, where I will be selling a selection of mosaics and Swirl-StoNZ.  In addition, I will be demonstrating how I make the Swirl-StoNZ, and selling $1 raffle tickets to win the picture below. The winning ticket will be drawn at 3.30pm, half an hour before the event closes, on Sunday 6 February 2022.

 

My display at the Big Arts Day Out - Waitangi Weekend 2021

Here is my display on the opening (Friday) night of the exhibition. I will be demonstrating how I make my Swirl-StoNZ throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. 

Exciting event coming up this Waitangi Weekend - 6 & 7 February 2021

 

In addition to my entry in the Harcourts Challenge, a sand painting titled 'Essence of Aotearoa', I will be having a space at the Big Arts Day Out showcasing my polymer clay mosaics and also demonstrating how I make my Swirl-StoNZ.

Exhibition entry gets a mention - Hauraki Coromandel Post 28.01.2021

 

The next Whangamata Arts Collective event is the Harcourts Challenge/Big Arts Day Out, over the Waitangi weekend, 5-7 February 2021. This years Harcourts Challenge theme is Aotearoa Inspired. My entry is titled 'Essence of Aotearoa' and it gets a mention in the local paper. Really looking forward to this event.