The other day I was walking down Main Street in Katikati and as I passed Harry Maddox Jewellers & Gallery at 18 Main Road, a flash of bright colour caught my eye. Being a lover of vibrant artwork, I just had to stop and take a look.
More of Stella’s work can be seen at Harry Maddox gallery
When I walked in I was greeted by owners Drugh and Suzanne, both talented jewellers who I like to drop in and say hi to from time to time, as well as checking out what is happening in their gallery space.
The paintings that had caught my eye were those of Stella Clark. I met Stella a few years ago and have been admiring her work in many galleries like Macandmor in the Goddard Centre, Tauranga and the Waihi Beach Gallery ever since.More of Stella’s work can be seen at Harry Maddox
I was thrilled when a very nervous Stella agreed to have a chat with me at the Harry Maddox Gallery about her career and work. (video is below)
Stella Clark with two of her paintings.
After the camera was turned off Stella relaxed a little and we continued our conversation. I commented on the wonderful movement and energy in her work. She told me, ‘I start with an energetic attack on the canvas with lots of brush strokes and then decide which ones I want to get rid of. 75% might get the chop and get covered up with other colors’.
Stella also shared that she joined the Omokoroa Art Group eight years ago after her mother passed away. ‘They were encouraging, very supportive and helped me through a very difficult time. They are a wonderful group of people’ she said.
Stella has a range of quality clothing available through Vida which has her artwork on it. You can purchase lady’s tops and scarves directly from her or see the full range available at https://shopvida.com/search?x=0&y=0&q=stella+clark
One of the Vida tops Stella has for sale
If you would like to meet Stella she has a studio at The Incubator at the wonderful Historic Village, 17th Avenue West, Tauranga. Please email her at stellamclark@hotmail.com to arrange a time to visit.
Stella’s work will be at the Harry Maddox Gallery until Saturday 21st July.
Stella Clark:
Website: www.seabluesart.co.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Stella-Clarks-Art-801364583316147/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stellamariecl/
Harry Maddox Gallery:
Katikati bespoke jeweller and creative arts gallery
Address: 18 Main Road, Katikati
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm Sat-Sun 9am-1pm
Phone: 07-549 2592
Omokoroa Artists:
At Omokoroa Settlers’ Hall 9-12pm each Thursday. Follow us on Facebook f Omokoroa Artists Tea and coffee provided. For more information phone Jackie 548-1518 or Karen 548-1454
Artists from the Omokoroa Arts Group at work at the Affordable Art & Artisan Fair at the Black Sheep Whakamarama (and check the papers they have introductory classes on offer at the moment) https://www.facebook.com/OmokoroaArtists/
Birgitt Shannon: Text and images of Stella Clark and her exhibition at Harry Maddox Katikati, July 2018 by Birgitt Shannon. Katikati based artist Birgitt Shannon is a regular contributor to ARTbop. Birgitt is also the principal Event Organiser of the Affordable Art & Artisan Fair at the Black Sheep Whakamarama – a collaborative community not for profit venture by ARTbop and the Black Sheep. Birgitt creates a monthly YouTube interview series with the Fair participants: Art by Birgitt YouTube. On her channel you’ll find images of her work, interviews with local creatives and projects Birgitt has been invited to be involved with. You can also see Birgitt’s work online and at the AAAFair on the last Sunday of every month. Birgitt has her own website at www.artbybirgitt.com
Birgitt Shannon indoors at the Affordable Art & Artisan Fair at the Black Sheep Whakamarama
ARTbop promotes
(or we think you should check this out!)
ARTbop is promoting poetry in the Western Bay of Plenty
Established spoken word, slam poet and performance poet Dhaivat Mehta and author, reviewer and poet MarcusHobson are at the heart of a poetry initiative to give Whakamarama District locals the opportunity to meet and share their spoken words with others. Meeting in the convivial atmosphere of the Black Sheep on the second Wednesday of every month and providing an evening of entertaining words and thought from 6.00pm to 8.30pm.
alchemy
SPOKEN WORD POETRY
Join us every second Wednesday of the month,
6.00pm to 8.30pm
at the
Black Sheep Bar & Grill
Cnr SH2 and Plummers Point Road, Whakamarama
Read your own poems or poems by your favourite poet. Enjoy the power of the spoken word!
Phone: 07 571 8722 021 145 5810
The cover is as amazing as the words: ARTbop Editor, Book Reviewer and alchemy participant Marcus Hobson
Tauranga slam poet and alternative spoken word poet Dhaivat Mehta
You can hear Dhaivat Mehata’s collaborative original word and music project with Kingsley Smith on their You Tube channel: TRYPTOFUNK Here’s a taste…. Liquid of the Godz (Part 1) Other parts of this series are also now available on YouTube.
GALLERIES
We recommend you visit both the People’s Gallery and the smaller Incubator Gallery to view the current exhibitions. 
From a recent exhibition of sculpture at the People’s Gallery Photo Lee Switzer
An exhibition opening at the Incubator Gallery Photo Lee Switzer
Also, the Tauranga Art Gallery in its large upstairs gallery area is showing the selected finalists in the 2018 Miles Art Awards. This is a diverse and interesting collection of work. There is a small gallery retail space. (PS can we please have a salon de refuse)
Check in with Creative Bay of Plenty opposite in Willow Street to collect one of the updated arts trail brochures for Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and surrounds. A Macandmor production: and check out their newly developed arty email you can subscribe to.
When you are in the Downtown Tauranga area you can visit The Art Lounge on Devonport Road, and Macandmor in the Goddard Centre Arcade. You’ll also want a warming coffee, treat or lunch in one of Downtown Tauranga’s cafes. Enjoy your creative winter in Tauranga Moana and the Bay of Plenty!
THE AFFORDABLE ART & ARTISAN FAIR AT THE BLACK SHEEP WHAKAMARAMA
And don’t forget the next Affordable Art & Artisan Fair The Fairs are held within the Black Sheep Cafe & Restaurant complex on the last Sunday of every month 11am to 3pm. There is heaps of parking, clean toilets and wonderful food and coffee. There’s live music. There’s an event prize you can win. If you would like to join us as an exhibitor/retailer of your original creativity or artisan products you can contact us at aaafair17@gmail.com
We are sign posted along SH2 with signage to the turnoff of SH2 and Plummer’s Point Road. You won’t be able to miss us! Here’s just a taste of what you’ll find. We’re indoors over winter months and outside in the Summer!
Cafe time!
Unique artisan created pens (and conversation in the cafe)
Unique handtied macrame art
A selection of cafe-style treats at the Black Sheep
So good to see visitors from all around our region at the Fair on Sunday 24th June. Our Fair, along with local craft markets such as the Zee Market at Elizabeth Street, Downtown Tauranga and the Lizard Market at Omokoroa are focused on providing a venue for the exhibition and sale of original, local creativity and artisan products….more about this later. Keep warm and keep on enjoying the creativity of the Bay of Plenty.
