9 / 40
Arts Council provides creative heart for Raglan
The Old School Arts Centre is the hub for the Arts Council
activities. Built in 1883 from local kauri, the Old School
provides a venue for arts events, concerts and meetings, an
exhibition space, a movie theatre, and an office.
The monthly creative market is another popular event, with
local artisans and producers selling their arts, crafts, clothing
and food, and market-goers coming from all over the Waikato
and beyond to sample and buy them.
Other highlights in the Old School’s calendar include arts-
based school holiday programmes and the annual Raglan
Arts Weekend. The weekend drew over 3,000 people through
the Old School’s doors in January this year, and many more
along a mapped route of artists’ studios that were open for
viewing and sales over the weekend.
Over recent years, more modern facilities have been added
at the back of the building. The Clay Shed – a dedicated
studio space, complete with kiln, for local potters – is always
well-used, with a programme of after-school clay classes for
children. Trust Waikato is pleased to have a part in supporting
Raglan’s vibrant community, and in 2014 donated $8,000
towards the Raglan Community Arts Council’s work.
Raglan is well-known, nationally
and internationally, as a creative
community. Painters, potters, film-
makers, writers, musicians, designers
and performers all contribute to the
town’s well-deserved reputation.
At the heart of this creative activity is the Raglan Community
Arts Council. Established in 1982, the volunteer-run Council
organises, hosts, supports and advocates for arts and cultural
events for Raglan and its surrounding communities.
Arts Council Chairperson Rodger Gallagher says a highlight
for 2014 was the biennial Art to Wear event.
“Art to Wear always attracts huge support from the
community,” says Rodger. “Many local artists take part, as do
all the local schools and people from throughout the area
who’ve seen the show in the past and think they’d like to
have a go at making their own art-to-wear creation.
In 2014, the shows sold out pretty much straight away.
Luckily, we were able to hold a ‘Take a Second Look at Art to
Wear’ exhibition after the event.”
$8,000
TRUST WAIKATO
DONATION 2014
3,000
ATTEND RAGLAN
ARTS WEEKEND
SUPPORTING
ARTS AND CULTURE
Raglan Community Arts Council
T RUST WA I K ATO
ANNUA L R E POR T
2 0 1 5
9