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The Art House
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The Art House is used seven days a week and comprises of several different groups working in various mediums
It was formed in 1960, as the "Form & Colour Group" by a group of painters and potters who were interested in promoting art & craft in the community. They became the Whakatane Art Society soon after. For many years they used a building behind the Commercial Hotel and when that was demolished a lease was secured from the Council for the present building, the Art House.
It was formed in 1960, as the "Form & Colour Group" by a group of painters and potters who were interested in promoting art & craft in the community. They became the Whakatane Art Society soon after. For many years they used a building behind the Commercial Hotel and when that was demolished a lease was secured from the Council for the present building, the Art House.
The Fibre Crafters had a really good and informative two day spinning wheel workshop on the 29th/30th May 2021. Pat old, the tutor, who has taught spinning for many years, in fact the last time she held a class at the Art House was more than 10 years ago, so it was about time the newer spinners of the group could relish in the opportunity of her expertise. Even some of the experienced spinners learned a few more tricks from her expert advise. The class included on the first day, spinning wheel maintenance, sheep breeds and the desired end-use, fleece preparation for spinning versus commercially prepared sliver and of course getting started with spinning.
On the second day, the group learned to ply the spun wool to make a 2ply-, 3ply- yarn and multiply art-yarns, the secret being the tension on the wheel. We have to control the wheel, not the other way around.
Pat Old is a trained wool classifier and had been working in wool sheds as a sheep farmers wife. In later years she perfected many other skills, like cotton or silk spinning and weaving and felting. She has a degree in flax weaving (Harakeke) and has developed a way to spin the flax fibre (Muka) on a spinning wheel.
On the second day, the group learned to ply the spun wool to make a 2ply-, 3ply- yarn and multiply art-yarns, the secret being the tension on the wheel. We have to control the wheel, not the other way around.
Pat Old is a trained wool classifier and had been working in wool sheds as a sheep farmers wife. In later years she perfected many other skills, like cotton or silk spinning and weaving and felting. She has a degree in flax weaving (Harakeke) and has developed a way to spin the flax fibre (Muka) on a spinning wheel.
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Recently, the Eastbay Quilters held two work days making charity quilts for the Whakatane Cancer Ward. A member found out that snuggle rugs would be great for those undergoing their chemo, so they set to and now have 10 almost completed quilts, all backed with soft polar fleece. They plan on continuing this as each person undergoing treatment is given the choice of taking their quilt home with them.
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Art House exhibition The Art House exhibition was held on the 19th to 28th March 2021, in conjunction with the Carving Symposium outside and the Quilters Positively Patchwork exhibition in the War Memorial Hall across the road on the weekend of 26th to 28th Several images of the work that was on display |
Some of the Artists in Residence
Positively Patchwork Exhibition
The Eastbay Quilters held their biennial quilt show, Positively Patchwork on the 26-28 March with over 200 quilts and other items on show such as table runners, bags. It also included work by secondary school art students and a floral demonstration. Proceeds from the three raffles went to Apanui School, plus a quilt made with the help of children to colour in the animals.
posted March 2021
The Eastbay Quilters held their biennial quilt show, Positively Patchwork on the 26-28 March with over 200 quilts and other items on show such as table runners, bags. It also included work by secondary school art students and a floral demonstration. Proceeds from the three raffles went to Apanui School, plus a quilt made with the help of children to colour in the animals.
posted March 2021
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Alas our Popup shop has to close. Because of the generosity of the owners, we have had a wonderful run, from when we first opened just before Christmas 2019 and now the 28th February, it comes to an end. The doors close. A new business will take our place. A big thank you has to go to our president Pam for all the work she has put into the organization involved and all those helping to make it a success.
posted March 2021 |
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Encaustic Workshop On the 6th and 7th March 2021 an encaustic workshop was run by Sue MacDougall in the Art House They certainly had some fun |
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The Artful Stitch Mary Transom and some of her stitching buddies was exhibiting at the Historic Village in Tauranga, over the festive season. It was a cohesive collection of spectacular textile art by four of the top Bay of Plenty and nationally acclaimed textile artists - Mary Transom, Lois Parish Evans, and Melanie Martin and Marilyn Muirhead. These exhibiting artists have enjoyed success through top International exhibitions such as The World Quilt Show, and the International Quilt Show, and in prestigious fine art exhibitions and competitions worldwide. |
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The Fibre Crafters last day at the Art House for this year. They had a wonderful Secret Santa with only handmade presents allowed. It was amazing, everybody loved it. In the photos, everybody holds up the present they received Click on image. |
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The Monday Morning Painting group waving and wishing you a Merry Christmas. Their last meeting was on the 14th Dec. |
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Quilters
The East Bay Quilters held their Christmas luncheon and final function for the year on Thursday 10th of December at one of the members house. Each member brought a plate of food to share and the range was spectacular. After the luncheon the annual Christmas “smash and grab” gift swap was held. It seems like a chance to act like 3 year olds! Each member also bought a gift to be donated to Women’s Refuge Some of the members in the photo have demolished their plate. |
Once again, our wonderful Art House was full of creativity, as the Eastbay Quilters had a very enjoyable weekend with friends, food and fun! They hosted tutor Sonya Prchal for a weekend class, called “Thread Painted Pets”.
It was challenging and enjoyable, even the beginners among them finished a very professional portrait. The pets were printed first onto fabric, and then heavily stitched to create the final product. Sonya’s calm guidance helped everyone with how to stitch the tricky bits like noses and eyes, and choosing thread colours.
The 9th October 2020 was the opening night of our exhibition, which was held in the rear of our Popup shop.
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Quilters Applique Class
This beautiful cushion is an example of what was made in the needle turn hand applique class held by the Eastbay Quilters in October 2020. The technique, was taught by Colleen Smith and Marion Newdick. For some of the members this was a new experience. Those taking part were given the basic pattern and were then asked to choose their own background fabric and choices of colour. It was pleasing to see the work evolving and the satisfaction the members were getting from learning a new technique |
When the Eastbay Quilters were back in business in July, post-Covid lockdown, they discussed the option of making a quilt for each of our two local Whakaari/White Island disaster survivors, Kelsey Waghorn and Jake Milbank. The fabrics were gathered, the quilts were made and quilted, and they have been presented to both the young people. All the members hope that they will be a comfort to them as they continue on their recovery.” |
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Thanking Essential Services
On the 4th July Anne Tolley presented prizes for the the children that entered an art competition to say thank you to those providing essential services during the Lockdown
Two of the prizes are for a group of children for a pottery session with Pam Mossman and a session on painting with Robyn Watchorn.
As you can see by the photo Anne Tolley’s office was bursting at the seams when presenting the prizes.
On the 4th July Anne Tolley presented prizes for the the children that entered an art competition to say thank you to those providing essential services during the Lockdown
Two of the prizes are for a group of children for a pottery session with Pam Mossman and a session on painting with Robyn Watchorn.
As you can see by the photo Anne Tolley’s office was bursting at the seams when presenting the prizes.
The winners got together on the 25th July with Pam Mossman and had a wonderful time finding how to make a lump of clay into something amazing, as you can see below
First Meeting after coming out of Lockdown
The Fibre Crafters group had their first meeting at the Art House after coming out of lockdown. 11 members turned up and had a very enjoyable morning of catching up on what everybody had been doing in the last few weeks.
Of course all the precautions were taken with cleaning and distancing.
Photos below
Posted 5th June 2020
The Fibre Crafters group had their first meeting at the Art House after coming out of lockdown. 11 members turned up and had a very enjoyable morning of catching up on what everybody had been doing in the last few weeks.
Of course all the precautions were taken with cleaning and distancing.
Photos below
Posted 5th June 2020
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The Wednesday painting group is also back and like a lot of the groups not yet to full strength |
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Art work that has been done by some of the members, while we have been in Covid 19 lock down
posted 6th June 2020
posted 6th June 2020
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Some of the Eastbay Quilters had an enjoyable weekend and learned a lot on Saturday and Sunday, 15th and 16th February with a workshop hosted by Tutor Judy Coates Perez, a. textile painting class, with the help of funding from Creative Communities NZ.
Judy is an internationally recognized textile artist from the US and they were lucky to have her visit them in Whakatane as part of a nation wide teaching tour.
They learned painting on fabric and how to control the paints from bleeding, how to shade and add visual interest to there work.
Judy is an internationally recognized textile artist from the US and they were lucky to have her visit them in Whakatane as part of a nation wide teaching tour.
They learned painting on fabric and how to control the paints from bleeding, how to shade and add visual interest to there work.
The Fibre Crafters have had some fun dyeing, painting, splatting, dunking and spotting their wool.
posted 8th February 2020
posted 8th February 2020
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Again we have been fortunate enough to have been able to have another Popup shop. Somewhere for our members to sell their art and interact with the public. |
Queen's Service Medal
Robyn Watchorn, who has been a member of the Art Society, in many roles, over many years has been awarded the
Queen's Service Medal for services to the community and art
Robyn Watchorn has volunteered for a range of community groups in the wider Bay of Plenty region. Mrs Watchorn was a founding member of the Te Puke Young Business Association in 1962 and the Ōhope Playcentre. She has been a member of the Manchester Unity Friendly Society since 1962, including serving as the first female District Grand Master for the Auckland District in 1989. She has been the Secretary and President of the Waiōtahe Country Women's Institution, and has been involved with Plunket, the Cubs, Scouts, Guides, Sunday School teaching, various school PTAs and committees, the Japanese Trust, and Toastmasters. She has been President of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Justices of the Peace Association. She has also been President of the Whakatane Society of Arts and Crafts and a committee member of Whakatane Community Arts. She knitted beanies for people affected by the Christchurch earthquakes and encouraged others in Whakatane, sending several hundred beanies to the South Island. She has used her artistic abilities to create 149 unique camellia brooches for the women elected to the New Zealand Parliament to commemorate the 125th anniversary of suffrage. Mrs Watchorn has also created LGBTQI+ rainbow brooches, forget-me-nots for Alzheimer's fund raising for Eastern Bay of Plenty, daffodils for cancer awareness, and kowhais for Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Well deserved recognition
Robyn Watchorn, who has been a member of the Art Society, in many roles, over many years has been awarded the
Queen's Service Medal for services to the community and art
Robyn Watchorn has volunteered for a range of community groups in the wider Bay of Plenty region. Mrs Watchorn was a founding member of the Te Puke Young Business Association in 1962 and the Ōhope Playcentre. She has been a member of the Manchester Unity Friendly Society since 1962, including serving as the first female District Grand Master for the Auckland District in 1989. She has been the Secretary and President of the Waiōtahe Country Women's Institution, and has been involved with Plunket, the Cubs, Scouts, Guides, Sunday School teaching, various school PTAs and committees, the Japanese Trust, and Toastmasters. She has been President of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Justices of the Peace Association. She has also been President of the Whakatane Society of Arts and Crafts and a committee member of Whakatane Community Arts. She knitted beanies for people affected by the Christchurch earthquakes and encouraged others in Whakatane, sending several hundred beanies to the South Island. She has used her artistic abilities to create 149 unique camellia brooches for the women elected to the New Zealand Parliament to commemorate the 125th anniversary of suffrage. Mrs Watchorn has also created LGBTQI+ rainbow brooches, forget-me-nots for Alzheimer's fund raising for Eastern Bay of Plenty, daffodils for cancer awareness, and kowhais for Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Well deserved recognition
The pottery group had an great evening at Greg Reid's home. They have been really inspired by the pottery he has made over the years.
posted December 2019
posted December 2019
We participated in the the Rotary Garden Ramble on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November.
The Endless Thread
This year it was the turn of our Fibre Crafters group to host the Bay of Plenty-wide biennial competition.
The Endless Thread showcases award-winning fibre crafts from around our region.
It was held in Sheaff Family Gallery and Whakatāne Community Board Gallery, Te Koputu a Te Whanga a Toi – Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre, from Saturday, 2 November 2019 to Wednesday, 27 November 2019.
click on images
This year it was the turn of our Fibre Crafters group to host the Bay of Plenty-wide biennial competition.
The Endless Thread showcases award-winning fibre crafts from around our region.
It was held in Sheaff Family Gallery and Whakatāne Community Board Gallery, Te Koputu a Te Whanga a Toi – Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre, from Saturday, 2 November 2019 to Wednesday, 27 November 2019.
click on images
At the same day as the opening of The Endless Thread, the Fibre Crafters held their own exhibition at the Art house.
Visual Expression Exhibition at the Sheaff Family Gallery
It's that time of the year again for our Visual Expression Exhibition at the Sheaff Family Gallery at Te Koputu a te whanga a
Toi – Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre.
We will be open from the 7th September until Wednesday 23rd October 2019.
Visual Expressions showcases a diverse range of artworks by members of the Society, demonstrating the many techniques and skills practiced by each exhibiting artist.
It's that time of the year again for our Visual Expression Exhibition at the Sheaff Family Gallery at Te Koputu a te whanga a
Toi – Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre.
We will be open from the 7th September until Wednesday 23rd October 2019.
Visual Expressions showcases a diverse range of artworks by members of the Society, demonstrating the many techniques and skills practiced by each exhibiting artist.
Woodcarvers A group of five members have been meeting on a Wednesday morning at the Wood Shed and with the tuition of Ivan Watchorn, over the weeks, have created some beautiful Rocking Horses. They should be very proud of what they have achieved. 2nd September 2019 |
Eastbay Quilters Workshop
Eastbay Quilters had an amazing weekend class at the Art house, 17th 18th June 2019, with Rosemary Rush. Following on from having Rosemary as a guest exhibitor at their Positively Patchwork Exhibition, she was invited to come and teach them some of her fine finishing techniques. Every one enjoyed the class and we all learned heaps! Thank you Rosemary
Click on image
Eastbay Quilters had an amazing weekend class at the Art house, 17th 18th June 2019, with Rosemary Rush. Following on from having Rosemary as a guest exhibitor at their Positively Patchwork Exhibition, she was invited to come and teach them some of her fine finishing techniques. Every one enjoyed the class and we all learned heaps! Thank you Rosemary
Click on image
The Popup Shop
What was supposed to be for just one weekend in September 2018, ended up lasting until the 8th June, the last day of the Pop Up Shop. It was great.
What a great way to interact with the the local community and raising our profile.
All of you who helped in keeping it open have received a Gold Star.
Full and spirited and then empty and quite
Healing Hearts for Christchurch,
Photos of the 4 quilt tops that where completed by the Quilters and helpers There are two on each board.
These will now be posted to a shop called Angels in Gumboots in Ash Hurst. From there someone will quilt them. Then they will go to Christchurch. Our four Quilts will join all the others that will be given to the families who lost loved ones, those that were injured, and for the first responders, emergency services personnel, and those working to support those affect by the events in Christchurch
Go to https://www.facebook.com/AngelsInGumboots/ for more information.
Images below
Photos of the 4 quilt tops that where completed by the Quilters and helpers There are two on each board.
These will now be posted to a shop called Angels in Gumboots in Ash Hurst. From there someone will quilt them. Then they will go to Christchurch. Our four Quilts will join all the others that will be given to the families who lost loved ones, those that were injured, and for the first responders, emergency services personnel, and those working to support those affect by the events in Christchurch
Go to https://www.facebook.com/AngelsInGumboots/ for more information.
Images below
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Posted March 2019
A few changes to the inside of the Art House over the past couple of months.
She may be somewhere around 80 years old, but still going strong.
A few changes to the inside of the Art House over the past couple of months.
She may be somewhere around 80 years old, but still going strong.
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The Art House has had a some surgery to the roof. Because the chimney stacks have become an earthquake risk they have had to be removed. We now have a bald Art House
20 February 2019 |
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posted 20th January 2018
Robyn Watchorn held a workshop, in the Art Rooms, in her style with oils. It was a huge success and the participants were buzzing. Two of them have become new members of the Society. There will now be a new group on a Monday afternoon starting from February Robyn will be running another workshop on the 9th February.
Robyn Watchorn held a workshop, in the Art Rooms, in her style with oils. It was a huge success and the participants were buzzing. Two of them have become new members of the Society. There will now be a new group on a Monday afternoon starting from February Robyn will be running another workshop on the 9th February.
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Posted March 2019
The Popup shop was first envisaged for one weekend only, but 6 months later and we are still there. We are using the empty shop with the generosity of the Landlord. We are open only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 2pm. The work on display is from members of the Art Society and local artists. While the set up of the art and craft in the shop is not on the style of an Art gallery, there is a certain eclectic mix that much of the public seem to enjoy when coming through.. A lot of interest is quite often shown from the public, and our profile in the community has certainly been raised
The Popup shop was first envisaged for one weekend only, but 6 months later and we are still there. We are using the empty shop with the generosity of the Landlord. We are open only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 2pm. The work on display is from members of the Art Society and local artists. While the set up of the art and craft in the shop is not on the style of an Art gallery, there is a certain eclectic mix that much of the public seem to enjoy when coming through.. A lot of interest is quite often shown from the public, and our profile in the community has certainly been raised
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We now have a pair of eyes watching the Art House. |
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Click on images
Images depicting what we do inside of the Art House now show from our windows
Images depicting what we do inside of the Art House now show from our windows
On Tuesday, 13th November, the Fibrecrafters hosted a group of quilters that wanted to learn to felt. Their member Odell Sutton helped them to realise their ideas of wool pictures. The Gallery Room was a hub of exciting colours and hard working people with some fantastic results.
special day for the Fibre Crafters
The Fibre Crafters Club celebrated their fiftieth Birthday on 30th October 2018, with a lovingly decorated old-fashioned fruitcake, made from a Alison Holst receipt, which was thought to be fitting for the occasion. The cake ribbon was lace knitted with crocheted lace flowers. This was later raffled off and won by Diana Carter, who intends to use it for her granddaughters wedding cake early next year,
As many past members that could be found were invited and it was lovely to see their delight to see old friends. Shirley Yeoman who was a founding member and still attends our meetings had the honour to cut the cake, which was an emotional moment for her.
She is very proud that the club that she founded with Lorna Foote is still going strong. In the early years the club grew quickly to almost 100 members, as Spinning and Weaving was promoted by the New Zealand Wool-Board.
The group has about 35 members, with a wide range of skills, from spinning, weaving
and dyeing different fibres to knitting, crochet and felting. Members love to share their skills as well as learn new ones.
Some of the members dressed up to the era of 1968, while others just brought in an assortment of memorabilia. One of the members kindly digitized our old photos and showed them in the Art Rooms, which was very well received.
It was a very heart warming and successful day, that will be remembered for a long time
The Fibre Crafters Club celebrated their fiftieth Birthday on 30th October 2018, with a lovingly decorated old-fashioned fruitcake, made from a Alison Holst receipt, which was thought to be fitting for the occasion. The cake ribbon was lace knitted with crocheted lace flowers. This was later raffled off and won by Diana Carter, who intends to use it for her granddaughters wedding cake early next year,
As many past members that could be found were invited and it was lovely to see their delight to see old friends. Shirley Yeoman who was a founding member and still attends our meetings had the honour to cut the cake, which was an emotional moment for her.
She is very proud that the club that she founded with Lorna Foote is still going strong. In the early years the club grew quickly to almost 100 members, as Spinning and Weaving was promoted by the New Zealand Wool-Board.
The group has about 35 members, with a wide range of skills, from spinning, weaving
and dyeing different fibres to knitting, crochet and felting. Members love to share their skills as well as learn new ones.
Some of the members dressed up to the era of 1968, while others just brought in an assortment of memorabilia. One of the members kindly digitized our old photos and showed them in the Art Rooms, which was very well received.
It was a very heart warming and successful day, that will be remembered for a long time
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The Te Puke Art Society and Whakatane Art Society decided that having a joint exhibition at each others Galley, would be a good opportunity to showcase each others work of art to a new audience. Whakatane went to Te Puke on the weekends of 10th, 11th and 17th, 18th March 2018 and then Te Puke came to us on the weekends of 7th, 8th and 14th, 15th April 2018 A strong friendly bond has eventuated between the two clubs click on images below |
The winner of our fundraising raffle drawn at our Sunday Market on the 28th January 2018 was won by Mal Evetts, pictured, with the prizes shown. He was so happy he was overwhelmed that he had actually won. Pam Mossman, President, looking at the winning ticket, which was drawn by Robyn Watchorn JP.
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posted June 2018
Te Puke Art Society
Monday the 26th June was the day for a trip to the Te Puke Art Society.
Lunch time was spent at the Funky Lizard. Thankyou Funky Lizard
Te Puke Art Society
Monday the 26th June was the day for a trip to the Te Puke Art Society.
Lunch time was spent at the Funky Lizard. Thankyou Funky Lizard
posted March 2018
On Monday the 3rd March the Te Puke Art Society came on a visit to us and what a lovely bunch of people they are. They arrived just in time for morning tea.. You could say that everyone had a good old chin wag sharing ideas.
On Monday the 3rd March the Te Puke Art Society came on a visit to us and what a lovely bunch of people they are. They arrived just in time for morning tea.. You could say that everyone had a good old chin wag sharing ideas.
Our Art Remix exhibition held at the Art House on the 28th/29th January 2017 had a great buzz to it. There were several members in residence. A painter, woodcarver, Spinners and Paper Crafters. Visitors loved to see how our art was composed.
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Our exhibition on the weekend of the 27/28 August 2016 was a joy to see. We had a guest artist, Sam Brierley, with some of his fabulous bonsai creations Sams website www.eudaibonsai.com |
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A few days later the pottery shed was also dressed in a new coat of paint |
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1981
In April 1981, Society members Valma Laurent, Murray Ellis and John Featonby are smiling with satisfaction as they hold the lease for the new clubrooms for the Whakatane Society of Arts & Crafts, giving us a permanent home, which we still occupy. 
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And a bit later
The opening of the Art Bazaar at the Art Society rooms as part of the first Summer Arts Festival Left Ann Frazer MP / Lyn Dawson, Convenor Community Arts Council / Beverly Gow the Mayors wife. Members of this Society can obtain 10% discount on purchases from the The Red Studio. |
Before 1981
Before and after The old Art Society building by the waterfall in Toroa Street. 
What was left after we moved out
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