Showcasing summer

Northland has had a boomer of a summer with great weather and events to keep our visitors happy and February has more in store for everyone.

One of the key events for February will be the Northland Pasifika Fusion Festival on Saturday February 24 at the Hihiaua Peninsular starting at 10am.

The inaugural festival in 2015 had around 5,000 people attend and has grown in popularity each year with 10,000 people attending in 2017.

The many Pacific Island community groups living in Northland showcase their culture, music, food and colourful costumes on the day, strengthening the culture diversity in our region.

For art lovers, a must-do is visit the Whangarei Art Museum, which is free and open to the public daily. Throughout February they are exhibiting part of their own collection to showcase a true summer in Northland - four seasons in a day!

With both contemporary and historic works, you'll be transported to Northland's wonderful coastline and region while also delving into iconic memories of our past.

If you get to the Quarry Arts Centre before February 7, you can see their group exhibition 'Portraiture and Figurative Works' showing artists responses to the human form in a selection of portraiture and figurative work in the Yvonne Rust Gallery. This will be followed by an exhibition by Alice Astell.

Further afield in Hokianga, this year's summer pop-up show at Village Arts is 'Hokianga Re-mix' an eclectic mix of art, vintage collectables and pre-loved designer wear. And in their side gallery, for the first time, is 'A&D Upcycle. Recycle' featuring up-cycled furniture, handmade craft and gifts.

Creative Northland are in the midst of planning a regional public arts consultation where they will be looking at holding workshops to engage with the public to find out what the needs and aspirations are in the community. These workshops will be held in Whangarei and Kaipara in late February and in the Far North in early March.

The workshops will cover visual arts/ 3D, performing arts, music, film and media, new technology and heritage. So keep an eye out on www.creativenorthland.com for updates on where these workshops will be held, along with what other creative activity is happening in our beautiful region.

Alternatively, pick up a copy of the Northland Art Guide at any i-SITE or download it from the website above for where to go to see, buy and experience art in Northland.