Northern Advocate
  • Northern Advocate home
  • Latest news
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Property
  • Video
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
  • Sport
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Residential property listings

Locations

  • Far North
  • Kaitaia
  • Kaikohe
  • Bay of Islands
  • Whangārei
  • Kaipara
  • Mangawhai
  • Dargaville

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • Kaitaia
  • Whangārei
  • Dargaville

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Northern Advocate

Art in the Garden unites Whangārei creatives

By Jodi Bryant
Multimedia journalist for the Northern Advocate·Northern Advocate (Whangarei)·
18 Feb, 2021 04:00 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Artist and sculptor Trish Clarke sets up some of the displays for Art in the Garden. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Artist and sculptor Trish Clarke sets up some of the displays for Art in the Garden. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Many an idea was conceived during last year's lockdown and this weekend sees the fruition of one involving local artists, suburban gardens and the public.

Art in the Garden derived from a group of Whau Valley neighbours keen to support local artists impacted by Covid through showcasing their work in their own backyards.

The event, which kicks off today, is hosted on two expansive adjacent Bedlington St properties including last year's Garden Discovery hit Waimoana Gardens and bed and breakfast owned by Sue Russell and adjoining gardens of Mike and Andrea Cameron with Mike's art studio also open to the public. They will display more than 200 artworks for sale by local artists.

Art in the Garden organisers Trish Clarke, Mike Cameron and Sue Russell. Photo / Mike Cunningham
Art in the Garden organisers Trish Clarke, Mike Cameron and Sue Russell. Photo / Mike Cunningham

Bedlington St resident artist and sculptor Trish Clarke is one of the three organisers and said that with lockdown and Covid cancellations, she was worried for the fate of local artists over the following year.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"I personally had six shows cancelled due to Covid in 2020, with a couple of them being the bigger sculpture shows in Auckland that I normally rely on for sales.

"We have local artists and beautiful gardens so we thought we could run a show to support local."

The idea derived after Mike's wife Andrea began a Facebook page to socially connect and engage the neighbourhood during lockdown. Using "socially-distant chat", the page was used for sharing fruit and vegetables, locating lost pets and running photo competitions before the idea for Art in the Garden came about.

"[The page] was created to keep the neighbourhood connected and ensure wellbeing for all," explained Clarke. "It included a letterbox drop for those that don't do social media, also connecting the isolated in the street. It has proven to be a great way to connect the neighbourhood socially."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Clarke said the Waimoana Gardens were a huge hit with all visitors at the Garden Discovery and was full of eclectic art and sculpture, rambling pathways, colourful garden beds with numerous ponds and water features.

"There were a good number of art sales on that weekend, and we hope that the public can come and support the new showing."

The works include small garden sculptures through to hanging and large stone and wood sculptures. Photo / Michael Cunningham
The works include small garden sculptures through to hanging and large stone and wood sculptures. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The outdoor works are from about 30 local artists and include small garden sculptures such as ceramic work through to hanging and large stone and wood sculptures.

"There are some really quirky, colourful pieces and yet traditional sculptures," said Clarke. "We've been really pleasantly surprised with the engagement [from local artists]."

Some of the quirky sculptures at Art in the Garden. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Some of the quirky sculptures at Art in the Garden. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Due to this week's Covid level restrictions, the original planned onsite pop-up cafe had been cancelled. However, Clarke said visitors were welcome to bring their own picnic to have in the gardens.

Art purchases would be left on display for the duration of the three-day event to collect after, with the odd cash and carry exception.

She said the art was reasonably-priced selling to a Northland market.

"It's more about giving local artists a place to exhibit with a low commission as you're not spending money on freight or driving to Auckland for big shows.

"If you missed Garden Discovery and want to enjoy a great couple of hours out, come to Art in the Garden, view the studio of Mike Cameron, and enjoy art, sculpture and gardens."

Art in the Garden is supported by the Whangārei District Council Creative Community Fund and is on today, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm at 30 and 34 Bedlington St, Whau Valley, Whangārei. Entry is by gold coin donation.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Northern Advocate

Northern Advocate

Police name person who died in early morning Kaitāia crash

Northern Advocate

Kaipara mayoral hopefuls on rates, museums and what they would do differently

Northern Advocate

Kaitāia Airport's $5.4m upgrade progresses with regular iwi meetings


Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Northern Advocate

Police name person who died in early morning Kaitāia crash
Northern Advocate

Police name person who died in early morning Kaitāia crash

Emergency services were called to the crash at 2am on Friday.

14 Jul 02:07 AM
 Kaipara mayoral hopefuls on rates, museums and what they would do differently
Northern Advocate

Kaipara mayoral hopefuls on rates, museums and what they would do differently

14 Jul 12:00 AM
Kaitāia Airport's $5.4m upgrade progresses with regular iwi meetings
Northern Advocate

Kaitāia Airport's $5.4m upgrade progresses with regular iwi meetings

14 Jul 12:00 AM


Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

06 Jul 09:47 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • The Northern Advocate e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Northern Advocate
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The Northern Advocate
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP