Innovative outdoor art at Keirunga Gardens

The idyllic scene for "Sculpture in the Gardens at Keirunga" exhibition in November where the arts and crafts community of 320 will exhibit new work.

Keirunga Gardens will be the scene of a major community event, "Sculpture in the Gardens at Keirunga".

Over the weekend of November 14-15, a variety of artworks are being displayed with performance artists entertaining the crowd.

It will be a family outing where people can watch demonstrations and participate in making their own artwork and bring their own picnic.

The "outdoors" challenge has been a vital new stimulant to creativity for the Keirunga Arts and Crafts Society membership resulting in many large, innovative outdoor artworks. The diverse interests represented by the society will surprise and delight the crowds.

In addition six well known Hawke's Bay guest sculptors will also be exhibiting larger scale works.

Keirunga is a thriving cultural complex and a treasured part of the community with a membership of 320 spread through interest groups as diverse as morris dancing, photography, printmakers, children's theatre, pottery, writers, painters, book arts, folk art, embroidery, weavers and miniature model makers.

And yet, it is surprising how many otherwise well-informed people in the district are unaware of Keirunga or what it has to offer.

A few examples are the Quilters' group, which was formed over thirty years ago and today has a membership of around 65, they meet in the Quilters Cottage and the Homestead a couple of days per week.

Another is the Artists' studio with its 111 members who work in eight different drawing, printmaking or painting groups. These groups currently have selected exhibitions showcasing their work in Havelock North and Hastings respectively.

The rediscovery of clay and the popularity of ceramic art has seen the pottery member numbers grow and they're producing high-quality ceramic art.

Quite a few are graduates and undergraduates of the Otago Polytechnic Diploma of Ceramic Arts who have studied through Keirunga.

Several pottery members are gaining recognition through selection into the Portage Ceramic Awards and other national awards.