Tartan Week part of local culture

Ella Hague has grown up immersed in the Waipu Art ‘n Tartan Wearable Art community since she was 6-years-old, from mask making in primary school to highland dancing, and now wearable art design and modeling.

She says now it’s a big commitment as each year she wonders how she will juggle her love and passion for being part of the show, with highland dancing competition and show rehearsals, outfits to design and create, routines to learn and high school work to balance.

Ella literally fell into highland dance at 5-years-old and her mum Jenny, who works full-time as a clinical psychologist with the Northland DHB, discovered there was no other after school curriculum activity to do at that time. Ella said she felt that she was the most uncoordinated and her teacher Mark Foreshore told her she was going to have to work very hard at it. This made her want to do it even more as she really liked it. Now Ella, from her involvement with Art ‘n Tartan, feels more confident to perform on stage with dance and modeling outfits.

Last year Ella and Jenny chose to enter a wearable art outfit depicting their Jewish/Kiwi descent.

With rehearsals on their way, music blending to combine performance and wearable art, the energy is building for this year’s show. One of the exciting new categories is Dream World: Weird & Wonderful, where outfits will be viewed under UV blacklight. It is sure to highlight the stage and create a spectacular show.

n Waipu Museum Art ‘n Tartan Wearable Art Awards, July 21-22 at the Celtic Barn, Waipu. Tickets and info available now at eventfinda.co.nz.