It’s set to be an art-filled weekend: Two initiatives designed to showcase local creative talent are underway in Wanaka. 

The RenewArt showcase - which includes live performance and a gallery exhibition - is running through to Sunday (October 18), in parallel with Toi, a series of events celebrating local businesses and creatives.

Three Lakes Cultural Trust handpicked 20 visual artists and 21 performing arts groups to be part of the RenewArt showcase, which continues in Wanaka after taking place in Queenstown last weekend.

Trust general manager Jo Brown said the Queenstown events were incredibly well received and she can’t wait for Wanaka audiences to see what the artists have created. 

“We are really excited about the next two days in Wanaka because we know how passionate the Upper Clutha community is about arts and culture.” 

The events are split into two categories, ‘performance showcase’ (performing arts) and ‘art gallery’ (visual arts), and while today’s performance showcase is mostly sold out there will be 20 ‘walk in’ tickets available for the (4-6pm, Lake Wanaka Centre) event. 

The walk-in art gallery will run through to Sunday (Saturday 12-4pm and 6-9pm and Sunday 11am-4pm, Lake Wanaka Centre) with everything from short film to photography, and watercolours to sculpture to ceramics on show - around 17 different disciplines in total.

“The breadth of the artists that are being showcased are absolutely phenomenal and all of the art is for sale too,” Jo said. 

She thanked principal sponsor, the Hugo Charitable Trust, and all the other community groups that have helped make RenewArt possible. Find more information about the RenewArt events’ timetable here.

Meanwhile, Toi kicks off today with two days of workshops, exhibitions, and performance. 

During the weekend people will be able to drop in on local creatives, including artist Jane

Sinclair and jewellery designer Alice Herald, and learn about their work; there will also be

live music at Buskers Square (outside Kai Whakapai), among other activities.

There is a cross-section of artists and designers, from photographers, interior and graphic design, jewellery, and fashion, taking part in the inaugural event, which is designed to show the breadth of talent in the local community.

Workshops include knitting classes (Perriam), plant care (Plant Collective & Plant Doctor) and a cake decorating demonstration (Cakes of Wanaka). 

See the full Toi programme here.

PHOTO: Supplied