Abundance of Christmas present ideas at new Arts Village festival and fair in Rotorua

Michelle Edhouse is one of the stallholders who will be at the new Arts Village Summer Festival and Artisan Fair. Photo / Ben Fraser

There will be an abundance of Christmas present ideas and creative inspiration at a new festival and fair being held in Rotorua.

The Arts Village Summer Festival and Artisan Fair is being held on Saturday10am to 4pm, at The Arts Village.

The Arts Village director Mary-Beth Acres says the event is a bit of a grassroots arts day out for families, locals and visitors.

"We are bringing amazing performers and artists together so you can come along and go shopping, listen to some performance art (music and poetry), and bring up a picnic or pick up some food, and just have a nice day out together.

"We will also have a couple of hands-on art activities to have a go at."

She encourages people to go along because it is a great opportunity to buy things from local makers.

"We have curated the stalls and there is something for every shopper and every budget, with the joy of knowing that it is all made in New Zealand and you are supporting local artists."

She says The Arts Village do not do a monthly market anymore because the costs of running it are just beyond their budget as a small non-profit organisation.

However, they wanted to give shoppers some more options ahead of the holidays, as well as artists a chance to sell their work.

"The event has art and community at the forefront and will be a lovely day out for all involved."

Mary-Beth says this is the event's first year and it is being funded by The Arts Village alongside project funding it receives from Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust and New Zealand Community Trust.

For now it is a standalone event, but if it is successful The Arts Village will look at this format again for the future, she says.

"We are hoping for a nice sunny day, so do bring a sun hat and sunscreen so that you can enjoy the outdoor vibe safely."

Some of the stallholders will have eftpos but it is predominantly a cash market, so it is recommended people bring cash if they would like to shop.

Rotorua painter Michelle Edhouse says she will have a stall at the event, selling a number of her paintings.

She is looking forward to the diversity of art which will be at the fair.

"From talking to Mary-Beth, the range of different types of art that will be there is quite exciting.

"I'm also excited about people having the opportunity to get their Christmas shopping done with local art, and adding beauty to their homes."

Michelle thinks the event is a great idea because it brings everyone together and allows people the chance to get a taste of all the options available in the community.

She says it is also a great way to inspire the younger generation to get involved in art.

"It's a way of showing them what people are creating and how much joy it beings to them.

"All cultures are based on art, so bringing that back into children's awareness and showing them it's something received with such gratitude can inspire kids to get involved in art themselves."