It is only two months to go to get to one of Raglan’s most loved events, the Raglan Arts Weekend, held every year over Labour Weekend.
Over 70 Whaingaroa artists have been painting, illustrating, printmaking, sewing, photographing, sculpting, hammering, sanding, creating and prepping to ensure they put their very best forward for visitors over the weekend.
“Ten completely new studios to RAW, in addition to the Hatch, are bringing fresh styles and innovative approaches to the weekend to complement our existing established artist base, and we couldn’t be happier with what’s on offer this year,” says Nicky Brzeska, RAW’s Co-Ordinator since 2019. “It’s been a helluva year to get the necessary funding, and we’re just so pleased to be able to give this talent the platform it needs.”
New artists showcasing some imaginative styles include Reformation Studios who are creating beautifully designed pieces out of recycled plastic waste through cutting-edge 3D Print technology, and Chris Hoult who combines his love of fishing and photography with traditional Japanese printing techniques. Also joining RAW is highly accomplished painter Jo Gallagher, as well as sculptor Stuart Bridson, with thought provoking pieces and environmental themes in Waitetuna. Other new talented painters include Vanessa Mateja, Anastasia Collier, Thomas Alistair Elliott, Sean McDonnell and Robyn Westcott.
“What has been really cool to witness is how many of our past Hatch participants have ‘migrated’ into the main event,” says Nicky. “This demonstrates that this incubator is working exactly as we intended – helping to provide emerging talent with a leg up into the art community. But going beyond that, it’s clear that lasting friendships and connections are being made – artists are exhibiting together and visiting each other’s shows, even in Auckland, and that makes us very proud of what we’ve all achieved.”
Toru Wāhine in Wabi Sabi is a trio including past Hatch participants (and curator!) Zasha Skye and Olivia Dean-Chambers as well as new RAW artist Ava Mae. Another fantastic ex-Hatch duo is clay artist Paula Moy and painter Eliza Adams at Uptown Studio. The Hut will have ex Hatchling Lucy AitkenRead too. Kayla Bacon, Ben Grant, and Lynn Beadle from ‘Artfull Dodgers’ are all well-established RAW artists too.
RAW’s Preview Exhibition opens at the Raglan Arts Centre in October, and will give visitors and locals a chance to see what’s in store and plan who they want to visit. RAW will have open studios, installations, demos, workshops, music and more.
RAW will be on Labour Weekend, 24 to 26 October 2026
Sign up to the RAW newsletter for news: www.raglanartsweekend.nz/contact
Thank you to our partners Rangitahi Peninsula, Mark Frost at Bayleys Real Estate, the Raglan Country and Blues Festival, Tony Sly, Chartwell Trust, Waikato District Creative Communities and brochure advertisers (Artists at Work Gallery, Sarah Bing, Freedom2Fly, Helen Parsons Picture Framing and Art, Raglan Holiday Park, Groundswell, Simon Dickey, The Food Obsession, Jet).
