The Village Art Gallery is a wonderful community initiative in Eltham and Percy Thomson Gallery is a gallery of national significance. Rhonda, the very knowledgeable curator, will happily chat and point out interesting details. What a wonderful place to enhance your children's or grandchildren's appreciation of art.
The Stratford Art Society Members Exhibition coming soon is a true testament to the dynamic local art scene, so make sure you check it out from November 11 until December 4. If you walk down the main street of Stratford you will find craft shops full of supplies and inspiration such as In Stitches and The Beadhold and you could do a workshop at Verdigris Studio. If the dramatic arts like acting, dancing or modelling are your 'thing', then Studio 2 or Stratford-on-Stage is your place. That's just for starters - there's bound to be other groups I don't know about.
Recently, Estella Van Der Lee, a Year 12 student at Stratford High School, was selected to travel to London and Stratford-Upon-Avon next July to be part of the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company. This is a great opportunity of how participation in the arts adds to life: in Estella's case a fantastic once in a lifetime overseas trip and a chance to work with other like-minded people. So as the days get longer and the weather turns warmer how about trying out a new hobby, visiting a gallery or taking a moment to have a gentle ramble in the refreshingly peaceful atmosphere of the park at Hollard Gardens. It's all just a matter of taking part and enjoying it really. As for me, I can hear my studio beckoning.
Chester's Stratford office is based in the Stratford Community House on Juliet St.
Phone 06 765 8464 or email chester.stratford@parliament.govt.nz.