Special calendar at this year’s She Shed

REMEMBERING PEGGY: All the revenue collected at She Shed from selling the special calendar in memory of Peggy Ericson will go to the Cancer Society. The calendars are $40 each. She Shed members with the calendar are Holly Howman Evans (left), Marg Hansen and Cheryl Scott.Picture supplied

Explore and experience a kaleidoscope of artworks by women artists in the seventh She Shed tour, on November 13.

The coastal art show will be spread across eight locations, from Wainui to Makorori.

Organiser Cheryl Scott said the event will feature 38 artists, including some fresh faces and a new venue.

“It's always lovely to see people building their own She Shed and the public can expect to see about five new artists joining us for the tour,” she said.

Artworks range from fabric designs, pottery, and jewellery to paintings, mosaics and woodwork.

The artists' tour started seven years ago when Mrs Scott came up with the idea to produce a coffee table book of a group of women artists who had their studios at Wainui and Makorori.

“We took pictures of their quirky spaces and the things they create. The book was so well received that I then felt why we don't open up our studios, our own She Shed, so that people can come and see for themselves.”

The first tour saw about eight women artists participate in the event and attracted about 250 people. Over time it has grown, in the number of artists involved and the public attending the even.Ticket sales are now capped at 1200.

This year will also see the sale of a special calendar, a memorial to artist Peggy Ericson who passed away last year from cancer.

“The Cancer Society has produced these calendars which are connected to Peggy who was a volunteer for the society for 20 years,” said a spokesperson.

“The society approached Peggy's family to identify artists that she had a connection with, through art and friendship. They put forward a piece of work that has been photographed for the calendar.”

This year income from the sale of She Shed tickets will be donated to Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust, the Peggy Ericson scholarship, and a local woman who rescues cats and dogs.

Tickets are $10 and are on sale at The Aviary, The Poverty Bay Club, Retro, and More Than Fabric — both in Ballance Street.