Mrs Shepherd is on the organising committee for the Makarora Valley Creative Arts Trail, taking place this Saturday from 10am to 4pm as a fundraiser for the Makarora School.
The idea for the event came about when she was pondering the "full spectrum" of people in her community.
"It's quite an eclectic mix of different people with different ages, different backgrounds and ethnicities.
"Some people who have been here for years ... some who have come here more recently ...
people who are farmers, tradespeople, academics, in the tourist industry. It's a really diverse community."
However, a "couple of commonalities" stood out.
"One is there's a quite high level of volunteerism ... and the other thing is people here are very creative." Members of Makarora's community were typically "quite shy" so the event served as a good way to uncover talents.
"You think you know what people do but it's quite surprising what's coming out of the woodwork," fellow organising committee member and part-time Makarora resident Jeanette Gillies said.
Joinery, clothing, quilting and textiles, embroidery, photography, artwork, leather work, copper clocks, sculptures, flax weaving, scrap-booking and card-making will all feature in the line-up of items on display, many of which will be available to buy.
Work from pupils of Mount Aspiring College, Makarora School and the local play group will also be included.
The items will be displayed at distinctive venues in Makarora - a straw bale house, a rammed earth house, the Makarora River Ranch, and the Makarora Community Centre, where the day will culminate with a live auction.
Organisers hope the trail will attract supporters from the Contact Epic bike race at Lake Hawea on Saturday, and other people from throughout the district.
