Media release from Write Now
Sculpture in Action, Gardening on Rooftops - Garden & Artfest 2012 Programme launched

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The inaugural festival sculpture symposium and a rooftop garden recognizing our increased urbanization are just two of a varied line up of events planned for the garden and art festival to be held in the Bay of Plenty in November this year.

This eighth biennial Garden & Artfest from 1-11 November, promises gardens galore and much more in a programme which has as its core attraction a garden trail which stretches from Katikati to Te Puke, including more than 60 gardens, 55 artists exhibiting in garden settings, and related attractions.

There are several new events which Festival Director, John Beech, says, “Aim to round out the festival and increase its connection to the community.” Tauranga’s waterfront will be a hive of activity during the Craigs Investment Partners Sculpture Symposium where 15 sculptors have been invited to create a work in public. Huge hunks of stone will be craned onto the Tauranga waterfront near the CDB to be transformed within one week into sculptures for sale by auction at end of the symposium. The public are invited to watch the work in action at this free event.

Greening our city landscape is the theme of the Urban Rooftop Garden where a city rooftop car park will be transformed into an urban oasis to demonstrate how our ‘concrete jungle’ can be softened with vegetation, and to provide inspiration to green up small city spaces.

You can even keep bees in an urban garden according to one of the experts conducting workshops and sharing secrets in the Speaker and Workshop Series. Hear from an Australian garden guru, the lady restored the grounds at Larnach castle, a Maori medicine man, and garden writer and broadcaster, Lynda Hallinan in a varied programme providing information spliced with laughs.

Seven of the region’s most established artists share an exhibition titled ‘Masterclass – All Things Floral. Each will each apply their unique style and perspective to the floral theme, their works on display and for sale during the festival.

Add in fashion from recycled garden materials, a major exhibition by the BOP Area Floral Art Society, a festival of media, arts and design by Polytechnic students, a garden photography field trip, and children gardening in schools and you have, as John says,” A festival with something for everyone.”

In a departure from gardens, festival goers can hear Anna Coddington in concert and, over a ‘Long Lunch’ at the culmination of the event, TV3’s Mike McRoberts will share his experiences in the world’s ‘hot spots’.

Tickets for the festival go on sale 1 September.
www.gardenandartfest.co.nz

ENDS

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