Nana’s jumbo button jar is being given a creative new lease of life at an upcoming series of art workshops at Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka District Library.
The Motueka Art Group is coordinating and facilitating the weeklong event, which opens on Sunday, 31st May, with an exhibition showcasing the work of its members.
The exhibition will bookend four days of workshops – two per day, beginning on Thursday, 2nd June, covering themes including collage, printmaking and pipe-cleaner flowers.
Art group member Adrianne Rumens says she has been painting her whole life, beginning with “making art for my mum”. Her first love is watercolours and, after beginning formal tuition in 1991, her passion intensified.
“You’re guided into a mindset of being able to use your imagination.”
When it comes to the upcoming ‘Buttons – Bits and Bobs’ workshop, Adrianne reckons there are myriad options to create artworks, from ocean scenes and faces to flowers, birds and animals.
She explains that art is about observation and contrast, with dark and light shades providing satisfaction for the eye.
“It’s like an ‘aha’ moment,” she says.
When it comes to art, fellow group member Margaret Klink calls herself a “jack of all trades”. “I flit,” she says. “I just like making things. It doesn’t matter what it is – I just love making stuff.”
Margaret will run a workshop focused on creating patterns from stencils, which can be used as backgrounds in paintings or as standalone artworks.
And for anyone who finds themselves casually doodling whenever they have a pen in their hand, a zentangle workshop aims to give those marks structure and form.
Facilitator Gloria Anderson says zentangles and neurographic art can be a great stress reliever, as the focus narrows to the paper.
“There’s no right or wrong way to do it.”
For the full workshop schedule or to book your space, visit Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka District Library.
