Hot on the Art Trail

 

 

Mangawhai was again the host to art in all its forms through the weekend of April 2-3.

More than 200 art seekers were recorded attending the Art Trail, taking in 20 galleries of original works from over 50 talented artists.

President of Mangawhai Artist Inc, Jan Grover, says while numbers were down slightly due to the busy event-filled weekend, the Art Trail was a success and is always a popular destination.

“We had plenty of positive comments from the people who attended,” she says. “And the artists themselves thoroughly enjoyed talking to the visitors and displaying their work.”

Inspired by photos, people, expressions “anything and everything really,” Jen Colgate (pictured above) likes to convey a sense of fantasy within the realism of her art. Water Lily and Just For A Laugh illustrates the Mangawhai artist’s talent.

1 A group of artists gathered at Jack Boyd Drive to showcase their work together. Items on display included colourful paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography and fabric art.

Although not an official member of the MAI, Bruce Colgate’s creations could also be viewed and enjoyed. Bruce made the bamboo furniture and, in collaboration with his wife Jen and friend Jackie McLennan, designed the surfboard table. Printed silk and cotton cushions are by Dianne Matheson.

Pictured from left: Bruce Colgate, Shelia Shadick, Jen Colgate, Dianne Matheson, Gitte Dibley, Maggie Matheson, Jan Grover (MAI President) and Donna Shadick.

2 Inspired by photos, people, expressions “anything and everything really,” Jen Colgate likes to convey a sense of fantasy within the realism of her art. Water Lily and Just For A Laugh illustrates the Mangawhai artist’s talent.

2 The Traveller is artist Donna Shadick’s current favourite due to the configuration and expressions of the traveller and camel. Donna also creates an assortment of jewelry including a Megalodon’s tooth necklace.

3 Mangawhai photographer Jeanette Vickers has recently returned from a solo exhibition in Whanganui, invited to showcase her work after Whanganui photographer Pauline Nielsen saw the multi-coloured images on the TV show This Town. Jeanette says the range of artistic work in the area “was incredible.” Orange Symphony is one of Jeanette’s favourites.

4 Gardens, plants and the outdoors inspires Sandspit artist Maggie Matheson to create ceramic art to compliment any garden, pictured here among her many creations including a fierce looking gargoyle.

5 First time exhibitor, Paul Kaiser says “the camera is a magnet to me.” The ex-pilot has been an active photographer all his life both in a professional and amateur capacity. Paul says while he is drawn to capturing images of dogs and waterways, anything can be worthy of an exposure. “It’s the light or things people do, even a falling leaf.”