It’s been a rather indifferent summer this 2016-2017 – hot one minute, cold the next. Despite the weather there’s been a lot of outdoor activities and performances and March is no exception around the fabulous Bay of Plenty.
The Multi-Cultural Festival is always a highlight around Tauranga. Whakatane is well into its Summer Arts Festival and you can see the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards until 12th March at the Whakatane Exhibition Centre in the centre of town. 2017 is the 50th Anniversary of Tauranga Writers Inc. – they’ve a programme of activities and events throughout the year. Sundaise Festival is hitting Dickey Flat Waihi the weekend of 10-12 March and there’s the Rogue Stage Wairakei Festival at Lava Glass Taupo happens on 25th March. You might want to take a trip up the coast to Miranda and visit the Miranda Farm Gallery a sophisticated gallery set in an organic orchard – there’s also the Miranda Shorebird Centre to see. Take care and enjoy the Bay of Plenty and surrounding districts. And – if you’ve got anything “coming up” you can let us know at ARTbop on info@artbop.co.nz We like some informative text and an image or two (make sure these are low res jpgs to 750kb or our website has a hissy-fit!)
TAURANGA’S MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2017
4th March at the Historic Village, 17th Avenue, Tauranga.
BAYCOURT Community & Arts Centre, Tauranga
Baycourt hosts a palette of creative activity from local youth performance to significant alternative performance. Just a quick look at what’s coming up in either the Addison Theatre or the Xspace, Go to www.baycourt.co.nz for detailed event and performance information and ticket prices. Here’s a selection:
1st March,7pm Say it with Music performed by Hans Hielscher on the fabulous Baycourt Wurlitzer.
2nd March 7.30pm The Nukes – mega-talented trio “part vaudeville, part rat-pack and part musical car crash.”
15th March 7.30pm New Zealand Symphony Orchestra “Summer Pops wit the Modern Maori Quartet” “a cool beat and amazing harmonies…an award winning Maori foursome with a fresh take on classic Maori showbands….”
24th March, 8pm 75 Years of Frock ‘n’ Roll with Richard O’Brien and Mark Sainsbury (plus a few surprises!) Dress to Impress. Supporting Starship Hospital. Details at www.taurangamusic.com
26th March Steinway Open Day from 10am with the Friends of Baycourt. Free entry!
TAURANGA WRITERS 2017 50th Anniversary Year
Our Thursday Work-in-Progress Session
2nd March 7-9pm
SHARING OUR WRITING &
SHARING NEWS, VIEWS & REVIEWS
Your chance to bring something you’ve written for helpful feedback.
Our mantra – “Writers write!”
Our Sunday Focus Session
19th March 2-4pm
YES, WE DO JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
HOW TO GET IT GOOD!
A workshop Q. & A. with the focus on using artwork, photos, a graphic designer or DIY.
Some basic rules & when to break them!
Callum Gentleman the Incubator 4th March.
If you were lucky enough to be at The Incubator on Sunday 12th February and saw a team of local poets open for Simon Kaho and Shane Hollands, you’d be making sure you get along to The Cheap Whiskey Tour with Callum Gentleman and Miss Peach. Opening for this event will be Legion of Dissent an out there combination of music and spoken word which includes the talents of ARTbop’s Baz Mantis, Dhaivat Mehta and Kingsley Smith with drummer….
Performance happens on the circus-style outdoor stage. You sit on “suitable for flat” couches and assorted seating (or bring your own). Last time it was pretending to be summer and a sunhat and glasses were needed but who knows – bring a bag and you’ll be prepared for New Zealand’s “four seasons in one day”!!
VALLI REBEL CREATIVE WORKSHOP -MARCH 2017 
Creative event organisers ‘Valli Rebel’ are hosting the first of their ‘Make and Do’ contemporary craft workshops and invite you to indulge in the creative resurgence of Macrame with them, in this creative workshop being held on the 5th of March at the Whakamarama Hall. You’ll be taught how to practice the basic macrame knots before creating your own macrame plant hanger. No experience necessary!
Bookings are $60.00 with all materials supplied to create your own plant hanger, using high-grade macrame cord with a variety of colours to choose from, with a delicious afternoon tea provided.
(*Plants and pots can be purchased at an additional cost, or bring your own on the day).
For further details or to make a booking, contact Melanie Mills at:
melanie@vallirebel.com
MACRAME WORKSHOP
WHEN: 5th of March 1.00 – 3.30pm
WHERE: WHAKAMARAMA HALL
WHAKAMARAMA
(plenty of parking)
COST: $60.00
CONTACT: melanie@vallirebel.com
ARTbop www.artbop.co.nz
+ arts news + reviews + events +
The online creative arts magazine for the Bay of Plenty
Sundaise Festival 2017
Music, Art & Sustainability
March 10 -12 / Waihi
Dear ARTbop, Check out this awesome festival coming up in Waihi in March. They have some brilliant acts, art installations and a huge range of workshops, market area, kids zone and it’s all sustainably focused. It’s held on a farm at Dickey Flat, Waihi. It has a beautiful river running right through the middle of the property so people go swimming or on bush walks while they’re here. Camping is free and there’s loads of space because they limit the ticket sales to just 1,000. More info on www.sundaise.co.nz
VINTAGE & RETRO FAYRE in Greerton 11th March
Leigh Basinger, Katikati. “Artist with a Difference”
Since moving from the South Island in 2012 to Katikati, Leigh Basinger has been inspired by the amazing natural beauty the Bay of Plenty has to offer. Leigh felt the urge to take out her paint brushes and express herself, firstly on canvas, and then on glass. Leigh’s “Reverse Glass Painting” is an ancient art form. Paint is applied to a canvas-sized piece of glass which is then reversed for display and viewing. Leigh says “ it’s like signing your name back to front on the glass so it can be read correctly from the other side!”
The technique requires reverse thinking and perspective and it gives Leigh the level of intensity and artistic challenge she relishes.
Leigh’s artistic subject matter is diverse: she particularly enjoys painting original floral compositions . This is done in detail including replicating the hue of the flowers in paint. Leigh is also know for her landscape and contemporary paintings.
In 2014 Leigh was voted the winner of “Peoples Choice Award” at the Katikati Arts Exhibition. Leigh says:- “I felt honoured and privileged to have been chosen by the exhibition visitors”.
Leigh was the guest artist at Paeroa Arts Society Exhibition 2015; and in 2016 received a Judges Recommendation in the Waikino Art Exhibition. Leigh also achieved a second placing in the Paeroa Art Exhibition 2016 art awards.
Art lovers will have the opportunity to view Leigh’s work on glass as well as original acrylic paintings on canvas at “Harry Maddox Jewellery and Art Gallery” 18 Main North Road, Katikati 3rd -18th March 2017 Monday to Friday 9am-4.30 pm ,Saturday 9am-:
Richard Adams – “Grand Gestures in the Outdoors”
Next Painting Workshop in Tauranga on 1 & 2 April 2017. BOOK NOW !
Richard Adams, international painter, teacher and musician, is set to return to the idyllic Te Puna Quarry Park, Tauranga to conduct another 2 day painting workshop “Grand Gestures in the Outdoors” on 1st and 2nd April.
Richard has lead numerous art workshops throughout New Zealand and has recently returned from a successful art residency at a prodigious school in Winchester, England. Music lovers may recognise Richard as the jazz violinist from the Nairobi Trio, and his musicianship will be on display after the Art Workshop in April, at Te Puna Quarry Park.
The stunning recreational part settling is “magical” says Richard and “lends itself beautifully to creating great paintings in the outdoors”. The Workshop is open to all painters of all skill levels, including anyone who has always wanted to give it a go. Richard says “the 2 days will focus on mark making, underpainting, over-painting and essential gestures and processes which form the basis of painting, and participants will gain a deeper understanding of the way light, colour, surface, textures and gestures in the abstract form are still the essence of good painting”.
Organiser Yvonne Lambert says “it’s a fabulous opportunity to learn from Richard’s unique teaching style and to discover your very own “Grand Gesture” in a stimulating and supportive environment surrounded by nature”.
Full details at www.bopart.co.nz
Yvonne Lambert – Bay of Plenty Art Services
(021)499 318
Tauranga
Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
The Rialto, Goddard Centre Tauranga
16th – 26th March 2017
Phone 07 577 0455 www.rialtotauranga.co.nz
ROGUE STAGE – nomad listening space
WAIRAKEI FOLK FESTIVAL / WFF 2017
at Lava Glass Taupo
25th March 2017 10am to 8pm
Lots of wonderful entertainment – more information on
tauranga art gallery toi tauranga
The delightful Tauranga Art Gallery is on the Corner of Wharf and Willow Streets, Downtown Tauranga. P: +64 7 578 7933 artgallery.org.nz
Until the 12th of March you can see KOULA The Collections of Niki and Theo Vellinga. A peak into the determined and eclectic collections of two interesting Tauranga residents.
On Monday 3rd April 2017 at 6.30pm the Fine Art Society New Zealand will conduct an auction at Baycourt community & Arts Centre 38 Durham Street, Tauranga. A 40 page catalogue illustrating over 100 artworks is available on request from info@fineartsociety.net or from Zeus Gallery, 35 Chapel Street, Tauranga. 
Miranda Farm Gallery,
Fatu Feu’u
Annie Wilson
Miranda Farm Gallery
1107 Miranda Rd
09 238 2608
www.mirandafarm.co.nz
Open 8am to 4pm every day.
ARTbop Editor, Rosemary Balu notes: I went up to Miranda Farm Gallery for the opening of this exhibition last Saturday afternoon. I had a great day out in Waihi and Paeroa and, as usual, a wonderful time at Miranda Farm. It’s not the first time I’ve been up there and I have a story simmering about the Gallery and some of the exhibitors. I also met Keith Woodley of the Miranda Shorebird Centre – that’s just gone on my must do and see list. If you’re looking for a great day out within easy driving of Tauranga (and Auckland) on good roads, lots of clean toilets, parking, cafes with great food – take the back roads. Make sure you check out the organic fruit and artisan produce on sale at The Stray Dog Cafe (part of Miranda Farm) – Gallery Director Annie and her team make chutney and relish “to die for” ….
Keep and eye on Been and Seen for my review on the vibrant work of Fatu Feu’u in the “Kuaka” Series – it’s summer heart singing!
LIZZY FISHER – Katikati artist
ARTbop’s Birgitt Shannon wants you to know that fellow local artist Lizzy Fisher has work on show at Studio One, 1 Ponsonby Road, Auckland. Birgitt describes Lizzy’s work as “abstract art..organic and alive with colour..” And, she says ..”this is one you definitely shouldn’t miss.”
Lizzy’s exhibition runs until the 9th March and is open 9am – 7pm Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm Friday and 9am – 4pm Saturday. Closed Sundays.
Lizzy can be contacted on 021 320 221 or
you can see more of her amazing work on Instagram at lizzy_fisher_artist
ARTbop will be publishing Birgitt’s article and images about Lizzy Fisher in And, And, And – we’ll publish the intro on facebook.com/artbop when it’s up there!
Arts Whakatane 
March 2017
Molly Morpeth Canaday Award: Painting and Drawing continues until Sunday 12th March at Te koputu a te whanga a Toi – Whakatane Library and exhibition Centre. Weekdays 9am-5pm. Weekends Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm
4th March The Esplanade Art Market –
18th & 19th March SUP Festival Stand Up Paddle board Festival at Port Ohope – paddle board racing in the beautiful setting of Port Ohope.
Pop Up Art Containers Wharaurangi (beside Presentables) on the Strand Whakatane check out on artswhakatane.com
19th MET Opera: L’Amour de Loin: 3pm at Whakamax Movies
Whakatane French Festival: Details being confirmed visit artswhakatane.com for updates
26th ARTHOUSE Art and Craft Market 9am corner of McAlister and Short Streets
Exhibition | Molly Morpeth Canaday Award: Painting and Drawing
January 28 to March 12, 2017
Whakatane Museum and Arts, Whakatane
The 2017 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award for Painting and Drawing will be exhibited across all three galleries at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi — The Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre — and open to the public from Saturday, 28 January until Sunday, 12 March 2017.
Presented by Arts Whakatāne in association with Whakatāne Museum and Arts, this nationally recognised art award will recognise 13 category winners. The 2017 judge, Felicity Milburn, announced the winners on Friday, 27 January, including the artists to receive the $2500 Craig’s Investment Partners Youth prize and the $10,000 Molly Morpeth Canaday Fund award.
Location
Whakatane Museum and Arts
Date/Time
Date(s) – 28/01/2017 – 12/03/2017
The Judge:
Felicity Milburn is a Curator at Christchurch Art Gallery, Te Puna o Waiwhetu. She works with artists on a wide range of projects, from temporary installations through to large-scale survey exhibitions. Most recently, Milburn curated exhibitions of historical and contemporary art from the collection and beyond for the Gallery’s reopening. She writes regularly about art for local and international publications and is the art editor for the literary magazine, Takahē. This year, Milburn has worked with Billy Apple and Lisa Walker on solo individual projects, and prepared an exhibition on the paintings of Doris Lusk.
ARTbop Editor Rosemary Balu says: There is a large free parking area within easy walking distance of this complex which is part of a waterfront shopping precinct – including a New World if you feel the need to stock up on the basics. Whakatane has a number of cafes within its main streets area which you access through the Centre arcade. There is an outstandingly popular sushi cafe opposite with a great array of sushi and as a bonus “free” green tea. There are signposted public toilets and toilets within the Exhibition Centre. Whakatane is a magical “day out”.
Don’t miss visiting the 2017 Molly Morpeth Canaday exhibition – it’s the diversity of the work and the spectrum of accomplished talent you should take this opportunity to see. This exhibition is now a nationally recognised and important arts competition and award series. It is accompanied by an explanatory display of portraits and text – an insight into the lives of Molly Morpeth Canaday and her husband Frank Canaday.
There’s also an opportunity to see what and whom we “the public” think – Law Creative Group have sponsored a People’s Choice Award of $500 (for the artist) Voting is open until 26th February and the winner announced on 27th February.
You can also find the flavour of the Eastern Bay of Plenty in Arts Revealed
Arts Revealed
WHAT’S ON AT THE COTTLESTON:
The Bee Appreciation Society AGM.
Paintings by Katherine Steeds. A unique and painstaking installation of tiny portraits, in homage to the humble bee.
During exhibitions the Gallery’s usual opening hours: 11am – 4.30pm every day except Mondays.
But visitors are welcome to browse the gallery outside these hours. Please simply phone for an appointment.
Please check the gallery website for areas where you can park. Please do not park on the shared driveway and road verges.
The Cottleston Gallery
128 Oropi Road, Greerton, Tauranga.
Contact Katherine Steeds 578 5242 or 0204783337
0204 STEEDS (0204 783337)
cottlestongallery.blogspot.com
Paradox the Street Art Festival coming to Tauranga March to June 2017 – W: taurangastreetart.co.nz
JAZZ FESTIVAL
55th National Jazz Festival Tauranga
13 – 17 April 2017
THINK JAZZ + THINK EASTER + THINK TAURANGA
AND YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO…..
ZOETICA – life – passion – bravery 30 August to 02
September 2017 Tarnished Frocks & Divas in association with Carrus W: tarnishedfrocksanddivas.co.nz F: Tarnished Frocks and Divas
Maori Language Week 11 -17 September 2017
Images:
NZ Poetry Conference and Festival, 10 -12 November 2017 Auckland, AUT Unviversity
MAKE SURE YOU VISIT…………
HAMILTON GARDENS
Travelling through Hamilton and the Waikato? Make sure you take time to stop and walk through the Hamilton Gardens. Forty years of effort on a disused quarry and swamp site has created and international standard botanical garden. Lots of parking, clean toilets and an onsite cafe. Hamilton also has a Museum and art centre on Victoria Street. 
ROTORUA SULPHUR LAKES SCULPTURE TRAIL
Although the historic Rotorua Museum is closed indefinitely the other buildings in the wonderful Government Gardens remain open. The gardens are worth a day out in Rotorua and while there include a walk around the Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Trail. This project was begun in 2014 with 2016 seeing the second Sculpture Symposium. 
In November 2016 wielding chisels, hammers and power tools artists descended on Rotorua Arts Village Green to transform 25 tonnes of stone and logs into works of art. Seventeen of New Zealand’s top local and national sculptors had nine days to create pieces of art during the 2016 Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Symposium. The finished pieces of art became part of Rotorua’s Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail.
Artists were able to use all styles; traditional, abstract and contemporary. Their artwork had reflect the theme of ‘The Energy Within,’ capturing Rotorua’s unique geothermal and cultural environment. 
In November 2016 Council community arts advisor and symposium coordinator, Marc Spijkerbosch, said the sculpture symposium is an exciting event for the city.
“This is a thrilling event for the artists and the wider community. Rotorua is very fortunate. There are only a couple of events like this across the country. It’s great for the artists and a rare opportunity for locals and tourists to see sculptures being created. Spijkerbosch also noted:
“These artists are seasoned professionals It’s mesmerising to watch them cut down, shape and mould these huge blocks and boulders,” he says.
The artists have the choice to create pieces from Oamaru limestone, Taranaki andesite or macrocarpa logs.
“The artists all work in an open space and we encourage locals and visitors to come down to watch the sculptors work and see the artworks take shape.”
At the end of the nine days, one of the works will be selected for the judges’ award and will become a permanent part of the district’s public art collection. Up to a further four pieces could be selected to enhance the new boulevard in Rotorua’s Kuirau Park.
All the finished sculptures are installed along the Sulphur Lakes Sculpture Trail in Government Gardens to form The Energy Within Exhibition. The pieces will remain on public display along the trail until the next sculpture symposium in 2018.
The works are for sale at prices set by the artists, and any sold from the sculpture trail would be replaced with alternative pieces.
2014 saw the inaugural Rotorua Sulphur Lake Symposium
Seventeen pieces produced to the theme ‘The Returning Soldier,’ as part of the World War 1 100 year commemorations.
Sculptures have been displayed as part of the Sulphur Lake Sculpture Trail.
Judges selected Anna Korver’s piece ‘The White Mouse’, depicting New Zealand war heroine Nancy Wake, to win the $10,000 prize and be part of the Council’s permanent art collection. 
Only five pieces from the 2014 symposium remain available for sale. There is a comprehensive brochure available (free) at both ends of the trail. Make sure you get one of these before you walk through this sculpture park. Free parking is available in the Government Gardens and nearbye streets. There are clean public toilet facilities. The cafe at the Polynesian Spa is a good place for a coffee or walk into Downtown Rotorua to find a variety of cafes and international food chains.
For further information please contact: Ingrid Tiriana Public Relations Advisor DDI: 351-8110 Mob: 021-190 8868 E: Ingrid.tiriana@rdc.govt.nz
