Original and local – Estuary Arts has it all

Estuary Arts Centre is taking the shop local slogan to heart this year, with some big shopping and entertainment events coming up in the next few weeks.

The annual Cash and Carry Under $500 Art Sale opens from November 21 and runs until the end of January. 

Based on previous years, the centre expects to exhibit and sell the works of around 150 artists during this time.

Manager Kim Boyd says there will be everything from paintings and prints to ceramics and jewellery.

“By giving an original piece of art this Christmas, you are not only supporting local talent and investing in our economy but giving something truly unique,” Boyd says. 

There are a number of registration days for artists who would like their work included in the sale, starting on November 21 to 24, from 10am to 3pm; and again on December 16 to 19, from 10am to 3pm.

Coinciding with the Cash and Carry will be the centre’s third pre-Christmas Makers Market, which will be held on Saturday November 30, from 11am to 4pm.

This event will include food stalls, have-a-go art stations for the whole family, more than 30 art and craft stalls, entertainment and buskers.

Something new this year will be an art supply swap and trade initiative, made possible thanks to a sustainability grant from Auckland Council.

Boyd says the Art Swap and Trade initiative will give people the opportunity to pass on used or partly used art supplies, instead of sending them to landfill. 

“At the Makers Market people can drop off and trade their old art supplies from easels to half painted canvases, open tubes of paint, paint brushes, hardened clay, clay tools, printmaking equipment, or anything art related.

“All proceeds will go back into the Estuary Arts’ education wing.”

The centre is open daily, including all public holidays over the summer period, from 10am to 2pm, with the exception of Christmas Day.

Estuary Arts is located in the Western Reserve, on Hibiscus Coast Highway.