It never ends in Tauranga – and that’s a good thing. In the next days we’ll see the Tauranga Society of Artists Inc. sale of work; Bayclay 2015 and the Te Puna Quarry Fest.
Radio ARTbop announces several opportunities to refresh your décor, add to your arts collection, find gifts and generally have a good time.
I started “frequenting” auctions, marked price sales and opshops as a teenager at Auckland University: you can track my life in old kelims, glass, prints and pottery among the few pieces that have been given to me or migrated to New Zealand with my parents. Every piece has its own story. (And the radio? well I used to listen to Life with Dexter on that and like the early electric sewing machine that weighs an absolute ton, I’ve carted it around New Zealand with me)
I’m not sure I’ve much room in my house for anything else but I’m always surprised how I always find that little space, that area of the wall, that perch on a table . It never stops me from going to exhibitions and sales of work – they are soul refreshers, insights into the creative ability and style of others and at their very least a wonderful day out. So even if you like me have collected your way to “almost full” make sure you get on out and take a look at the exhibitions, sales of work and festivals listed below.
The Tauranga Society of Artists Inc sale of work at the Elizabeth Street Community Centre starts tomorrow 28th of October. Last year this sale of work was a great success for members of the Society. A large number of visitors and a large number of sales.
I went. It always amazes me that there are so many people in Tauranga and the surrounding towns creating such diverse works in such diverse mediums. And, I have to say, producing such affordable original art. You don’t want to hear this but the principal gift buying season is roaring up – it’s actually only days away now. You could do far worse than visit the Elizabeth Street Community Centre for a gift for that person who has everything or that person who has nothing!
The Elizabeth Street Community Centre is literally just around the corner from the Takitimu Drive – Elizabeth Street roundabout (Takitimu Drive is the major road into the Port of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui). As you turn into Elizabeth Street at the very bottom of the hill, on the left is the entrance to the cluster of buildings where you’ll find the Elizabeth Street Community Centre. There’s parking available. And, the permanent rooms of the Tauranga Society of Artists are just across “the road”.
The Tauranga Society of Artists sale of work at the Elizabeth Street Community Centre is on in Downtown Tauranga from 28th October to 01st November 2015.
BAYCLAY 2015 is the annual exhibition and sale of work of the Bethlehem Pottery Club. Its name almost belittles the level of creativity within this group which is a collective of potters of individual style, design and form. It is worth a visit to any exhibition held by the Club just to see what can be created from clay.
Bayclay is the name of their annual exhibitions and sales of work. 2015’s exhibition from 6th to 8th November is in the Baycourt Exhibition Hall (also known as the Xspace) 38 Durham Street Tauranga. Friday and Saturday 10am – 4pm and Sunday 10am-3pm.
Again, I’ve visited Club exhibitions and sales in the past and appreciated not only the diversity and quality of work but also the very reasonable prices. You could take a look at www.facebook.com/bayclayexhibition
Location and parking: Baycourt is the abbreviation of the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre (and it’s certainly that). There is roadside parking available – it has to be paid for and don’t try to avoid this unless it’s after 3pm as you’ll get a ticket. There is a parking building with an entrance just a step along Durham Street.
Bayclay at Baycourt 6th to 8th November 2015. 6th and 7th November 10am to 4pm, 8th November 10am to 3pm.
Don’t forget that Tauranga has some very good cafes within spitting distance of the Elizabeth Street Community Centre and Baycourt. You can’t miss the Elizabeth Street cafe on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Cameron Road (in the ANZ complex). There’s parking at the rear if you think the walk up the Elizabeth Street rise will annihilate you. Down First Avenue are Alimento and the iconic Grindz. All have good and reasonably priced cafe food. You’ll need to check whether they are open on Sundays.
And, if you come into Downtown Tauranga leave enough time to visit the Creative Tauranga Community Gallery and the Tauranga Art Gallery. If you haven’t eaten after you’ve been there don’t miss The Dry Dock. Hard work has created a fabulous cafe in the heart of Downtown Tauranga – make sure you take a look at the images I’m going to include in my article on the Tauranga Arts Festival Community Day – The Dry Dock was an absolute work of art and the staff were all dress in the Alice in Wonderland theme – great going Sandra and Roger and The Dry Dock.
Quarry Fest – this is one of the Te Puna Quarry’s fundraising events. This year it is on Sunday 8th November 2015 from 10am to 4pm. There are banners and signs all over the district. Art, craft, plants, music, goodies – you name it, it will be there!
If you’re new to Tauranga, you’ll want to take a look at the Quarry Fest and then come back again and again to enjoy the development of what was an old quarry site. Development instigator, Shirley Sparks, has been publically acknowledged for her energy and effort in leading this project. And, the Quarry Fest is not the only activity which takes place in the art and garden filled grounds: there’s everything you think of including music and Shakespeare. Keep your eyes on both the Weekend Sun and The Bay of Plenty Times, Vibe sections (both are supportive of arts and cultural activities) for on-going information.
How to get there. It’s a simple 10 minute drive from Tauranga through Bethlehem and Te Puna and there’s a left turning lane. Coming from Whakamarama-Katikati way there’s a right turning lane. I’d have my lights on and indicated well in advance as State Highway 2 already has a large number of overseas visitors and campervans rattling along it. Parking is no problem as an adjacent field/paddock area is usually opened up.
Quarry Fest at The Te Puna Quarry Sunday 8th November 2015 from 10am to 4pm.
Rosemary Balu. Rosemary Balu is the founding and current 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.
