Inaugural Coromandel Art & Craft Fair Success

The inaugural ‘Coromandel Peninsula Art & Craft Fair’ took place on Saturday 24th August and was a tremendous success!

The event was organised by Mercury Bay Art Escape Trust (MBAET) and involved artists and craftspeople from all over the Peninsula. It was a beautiful, sunny day and close to 550 people came to Whitianga Town Hall between 9am and 4pm, with visitors from as far afield as Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton and Napier, as well as many local residents keen to see the handmade wares on show and to support this new local event.

The 17 stalls displayed a vibrant variety of art and craft, from fine art to textiles and jewellery to ceramics, while MBAET Trustees and volunteers served coffee and delicious cafeteria treats throughout the day. Creative Mercury Bay supported the event with musical entertainment, which was provided by skilled guitarist Mark Thompson who played on stage between 12 and 1pm to an appreciative audience of browsers and buyers.

Feedback from visitors and exhibitors was very positive and MBAET is already looking forward to the next Art & Craft Fair which will be “even bigger and better” with additional stalls. Chairman of the Trust, Stuart Christie, said; “we just couldn’t believe how many people turned up on Saturday, with queues early on in what turned out to be a beautiful spring day and strong interest in the exhibitors and good sales levels. We are thrilled with the interest and support we have from the community, it’s a big payback for the work that went in by everyone.”

Gary Fitzsimons from Whitianga was absolutely delighted to win the raffle prize which was a basket of goodies donated by Mosaic Gallery. The prize was delivered to Gary on Sunday and he excitedly said “this is the first thing I’ve ever won!”

The organisers would like to thank the exhibitors for taking part; the local community for its wonderful support and also the following sponsors, whose generous donations made the event possible: Gordon Harris ‘The Art & Graphic Store’; Mosaic Gallery; New World Whitianga; Peninsula Party Hire and Peninsula Scaffolding.

ENDS

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