Porangahau Arts showcase

The Porangahau Arts annual exhibition and sale is coming up, promising a diverse showcase of works by local arts and craftspeople.

This will include patchwork, painting, upholstery, mosaics, cross-stitch, spinning, knitting, and sewing.

This year's guest exhibitor is Kim Priest will be showcasing her woolcraft, and the spotlight member is Kaye Andersen who will be contributing patchwork, woolcraft and mosaic pieces.

Kim and Craig Priest own Waddle Inn Carding in Argyll Road, Otane, where people bring fleece for carding.

As well as carding, Kim spins her own wool and alpaca fleece and says it is "incredibly relaxing, but frustrating to learn. I have spent 12 to 18 hours a day spinning".

Both carded and spun fleeces are for sale in the shop on site at Waddle Inn.

From her efforts she also produces garments, some of which will be on show and for sale this weekend.

These include some from the multi-coloured, random dyed wool she stocks, and some are made from pure alpaca fibre.

Others are a blend of alpaca and locally-bred corriedale, and she will also present some pure lamb wool garments, the wool sourced from the family farm at Takapau, she says.

There will be a mix of children's and adult's garments, including scarves, shawls and blankets, she says.

Spotlight exhibitor

Spotlight exhibitor Kaye Andersen has been a member of the Porangahau Arts group for 18 years now.

Ever since she can remember she has always loved making things, starting from when she was first taught to knit by her grandmother and mother.

These days she always has something she's working on, she says.

"I never just sit doing nothing, I have always got knitting on the go, or some kind of needlework - it depends on what I feel like doing at the time."

She recently finished her most ambitious work to date, a large quilt that off and on has taken her four years to complete.

It is entirely hand-sewn and quilted and after all that labour she says she will never sell it, rather she plans to keep it for family to use when they come to visit.

Being part of an arts club is great for picking up new tips and tricks of the trade, she says.

"Crafty people are people that like to share knowledge - I am still learning, there is always something to learn."

The Porangahau Arts Exhibition will be held at the Porangahau Country Club and the Opening Night is this Thursday, September 27.

Starting at 7.30pm, the cost is $5 and the bar will be open.

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm on Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29. Opening hours on Sunday, September 30 will be from 10am to 3pm.

Morning and afternoon teas will be available, and purchases can be made by eftpos.

Lunch will be available at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel in Porangahau village.