Art group going strong almost 60 years on

Wakari Art Group member Song Hue (right) accepts the ‘‘people’s choice’’ award from long-standing...
Wakari Art Group member Song Hue (right) accepts the ‘‘people’s choice’’ award from long-standing member Robyn Woerd during an internal group exhibition of still-life works last week. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD
Almost 60 years since it was formed, the Wakari Art Group is still going strong.

From humble beginnings as a small group of art enthusiasts coming together in each other's homes, the Wakari Art Group has grown to a membership of more than 25 keen artists.

The group meets from 10am to noon every Thursday at the Flagstaff Church hall to create artworks together, share ideas and learn from visiting tutors.

Long-standing Wakari Art Group president Marie Murphy said a shared love of art and learning had kept the group strong for the past 58 years.

New members were always welcome, she said.

"Our members like the social interaction and enjoy having the chance to learn from each other.

"We also have tutors that come in and lead special classes for us, and in the summer we go out to the beach or somewhere to paint outside,'' Mrs Murphy said.

The group has a sale of work at Meridian mall once a year, and also holds four in-house exhibitions throughout the year.

The most recent of these was held last week, with dozens of works on the theme of "still life'' presented by group artists.

Members voted for their favourite artworks, with the most popular receiving the "people's choice'' award.

The prize for this award is a silver tray donated by the Wakari Art Group's longest-standing member, Robyn Woerd, who has been part of the group for 32 years.

Mrs Woerd, who enjoys creating works with pastels and pens, attends with her husband John. They both like the social aspect of the group.

Donating the silver tray, which once belonged to her father, Harry Aburn, was a good way to "give something back'', she said.

BRENDA.HARWOOD@thestar.co.nz

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement