It’s that time of year again and Riversdale Arts is gearing up for what will be an interesting twist for the Annual Mixed Media Exhibition.
Riversdale Arts was started by a small committee in the 70s to meet the need for art and theatre to be an integral part of community life. A tutored art class, ‘Still life with green apples’, resulted in our first art exhibition. And now we are celebrating our 45th exhibition this year.
Riversdale Arts has its own art rooms which are used by the community for various art and craft, classes and meetings. For our annual exhibition, we have invited up to 80 mixed media artists from around New Zealand to exhibit in Riversdale’s large community centre. Included is a cash and carry shop featuring work by exhibiting artists and invited craftspeople. There’s also Café YUM for coffee, lunch and delectable treats.
Various classes are held during exhibition week and guest artists this year are collaborating in their artistry. Artist Janet de Wagt (Dunedin) and cake maker Jude Taylor (Gore) will combine their talents to produce an installation depicting our 45 exhibitions in Riversdale and the districts – something new and exciting for Riversdale Arts.
Installations of art will feature outside on the lawn and there will be floral art at the entrance.
Three talented cake artists will be showcasing their skills – Brittany Thurston from Wanaka (White Rabbit Cakes); Kathryn Deaker of Te Anau (Cakes by Kathryn); and Tammie McWhinney of Tapanui (Cake by Victoria M and Edible Artistry – Have your cake and eat it too). Three spectacular and extreme cakes will be unveiled at the Gala night on Friday 20 July at 7pm and these will later be auctioned.
Saturday night’s Wine & Cheese event will feature entertainment from Dennis Kirkpatrick. Why 20 thousand pies a day are made in a small country town and district with a population of 700. Extreme baking. Most people have heard of the famous Jimmy’s Pie.
Classes this year include ‘Getting Prolific – Painting with Peter Cleverley’; ‘Beginner’s guide to watercolour’ with Crosbie Grieve; ‘Bend, knot and braze black wire’ with Annie Bourque; ‘Mosaics in Glass’ with Jasmine Keir; and ‘En Plein air – Out in the wilds’ with Janet de Wagt.
The impressive portrait of Jim Geddes painted by last year’s guest artist Stephen Martyn Welch at ‘The Sitting’ will be on display at the exhibition. The exhibition runs from Gala night on 20 July, then daily from 11am to 5pm.
Follow us on Facebook or check out www.riversdalearts.co.nz for classes and details.
- Jann Robertson
