This Thursday 15th November kicks off the BOP Garden & Arts Festival 2018. The Festival hub this year will be at the Historic Village in Downtown Tauranga. I know many of you will be buying tickets and visiting the beautiful gardens with their displays of original art and art craft. For those far away or not able to get out and about – here’s a peek at the Historic Village. This is one of my favourite places in Tauranga and I’ve seen it develop over the years into the treasure it is today. Enjoy.

It’s been around a while!

I’ve watched this recently planted “white garden” grow – it’s very pretty

Last week I watched as these were painstakingly repainted – great job!

Toy makers to the nation: The Men’s Shed

One of the complexes courtyards and open green spaces

Looking down “the main thoroughfare”

The entry to the People’s Gallery

The mural on the green

Wall art

The garden created by Isaac Weston of re-work-it

This area of quiet seating is behind the Incubator and the Jam Factory

I’ve seen this spectacular insect before!

New plantings opposite the Incubator

Just past the stage….

Don’t miss the back street

There’s a herb garden

Citrus in front of “The Inc”

The Artery arts learning space – love the colour!

There’s a gorgeous new shop behind that red door!

Busily setting up! I had to ask them to hold the sign up for me!

Formerly Social Justice – now The Velvet Coathanger – same place, same stuff – just great!

You’ll find these playable pianos around Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty – enjoy!

Beautiful old church

And they hold concerts in here

Big Pohutukawa in front of the church – the New Zealand Christmas Tree!

Another old building saved from destruction

Another green space

If there’s a gap – we’ll grow

New livery at the Historic Village

The development of the Historic Village is the result of a huge amount of hardwork and energy by a team of volunteers and community funding and territorial authority support. The Village has gone from being somewhat drab and drear to what it is today – alive and vibrant. Last week it was packed with cruise ship tourists. If you are able to visit Bloom in the Bay during the Garden & Arts Festival 2018 I’m sure you’ll have a great time. And the Whipped Baker – had the closest sandwich to a croque monsieur I’ve had around the place – yummy food and great people.

There are several galleries in the complex: The Incubator Gallery, The People’s Gallery, Imprint Gallery and the Turner Gallery – enjoy!

Rosemary Balu. Rosemary Balu is the founding and current Managing Editor of ARTbop. Rosemary has arts and law degrees from the University of Auckland. She has been a working lawyer and has participated in a wide variety of community activities where information gathering, submission writing, community advocacy and education have been involved. Interested in all forms of the arts since childhood Rosemary is focused on further developing and expanding multi-media ARTbop as the magazine for all the creative arts in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

ARTbop promotes

(or we think you should check this out!)

Stepping Out – 23 November to 8 December 2018 (Comedy)

By Richard Harris

Directed by Merv Beets

Synopsis – This is a rollicking comedy about the attempts of some working class amateurs to overcome their inhibitions and left feet in a low-rent dance studio in North London. Mavis, a former professional chorus girl tries her hardest to teach the bumbling amateurs some terpsichorean skills for an upcoming recital. But before the dancing begins Mavis must mediate the minor dramas that erupt among this motley but loveable crew on their way to triumph at their recital.

Tickets are available on the website: https://16avetheatre.co.nz/

THE AFFORDABLE ART & ARTISAN FAIR AT THE BLACK SHEEP WHAKAMARAMA ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH (AND DECEMBER 16TH)

The next Affordable Art & Artisan Fair will be on the last Sunday of November – 25th November 2018). 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! We’re indoors over winter months and outside in the Summer.

Just a tiny taste of some of the amazing art and creativity you’ll find at the Affordable Art & Artisan Fair: