Diverse display impresses

Artist Bridget Paape attends the Waikaka Arts and Crafts Exhibition. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG
Artist Bridget Paape attends the Waikaka Arts and Crafts Exhibition. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG
The Waikaka Arts and Crafts Exhibition has stunned locals and visitors alike with a diverse collection.

Held at the Centennial Hall, it features a large array of paintings, sculptures and other creations from artists near and far.

The opening on Friday night featured guest speaker and artist Bridget Paape, who said the exhibition catered to all visitors who came through.

‘‘It’s great to see such an eclectic mix of art, a great variety of submissions and art.

‘‘I think there’s something for everyone here, at all price points,’’ Paape said.

Exhibition secretary Frances Calvert said the exhibition had a great year.

‘‘It’s been great. Good numbers through the doors, probably about 70 people each day on the weekend and the same for the opening,’’ she said.

‘‘Maybe 200 altogether, it was hard to keep up with them coming through the door.’’

Mrs Calvert said the response from the community had been very positive.

‘‘We’ve had a lot of good feedback. A lot of people are saying they couldn’t believe the variety and the quality of the exhibits,’’ she said.

It was not only the art being appreciated, as Mrs Calvert said the arrangement had been given a lot of compliments also.

‘‘The tables are set up to flow into each other, they’re almost a work of art on their own,’’ she said.

Mrs Calvert said Paape had an excellent showing as the guest speaker.

‘‘Bridget was very, very good. A lot of people commented that to me. She’s very popular, people really appreciated her easygoing manner,’’ she said.

The exhibition will be open until late tonight before it finishes tomorrow.