Harbour Hospice is holding an exciting new fundraiser, Art Affair, this weekend. They’ve run plenty of art events before, but this one is unique because it will be held at their Warkworth building, Tui House, where you can take a look around their space and learn more about how hospice can care for you and your family. This is the first time they’ve transformed one of their buildings into an art gallery!

Art Affair will feature 16 outstanding artists, including leading contemporary artist Craig Primrose, from Matakana. Craig has created a piece, Tui At Home, especially for the event, which will be unveiled tonight at a special ticketed Opening Night.

Craig Primrose with his unfinished painting, Tui At Home. (He has since completed the work!)

Craig will be joined by artists Hazel Hunt, Karena De Pont, Kirsty Mackenzie, Hugh Major, Gordon Pope, Jane Pierce, Richard Pound, Maggie Matheson, Kristin Hyde, Miki Nozomi, Pauline Gough, Vicki Fanning, Rebecca Hawkins, Tori Thomas, Joaquin Zepeda, Jackie Bott and Lissy Robinson-Cole.

Lissy Robinson-Cole is an exciting addition to the exhibition. Lissy and husband Rudi create vibrant, large-scale crochet installations that merge traditional Māori narratives with contemporary materials and techniques. Lissy says their work is “a celebration of life, love, and joy in full living colour!" 

Artist Jackie Bott is a member of the Harbour Hospice team. Jackie has always painted alongside her career in design, and is particularly interested in the organic marking of time passing. She holds a fascination for weathered surfaces, patination and the scars of history.

Jackie Bott with one of the pieces she is exhibiting, It’s Getting Warmer

Meanwhile, many will be familiar with the name Joaquin Zepeda. Joaquin is a sculptor who moved to New Zealand from Mexico in the 1970s. Joaquin's work has been represented by RKS Gallery, Auckland, and the Coastal Arts League Gallery in California. He dedicates long days to creating large, striking stainless steel pieces.

Joaquin at work in his studio

All proceeds from Art Affair will go directly to hospice patient and family care in Warkworth/Wellsford. Why not make a day of it and pop into Harbour Hospice’s Garage Sale shop next door afterwards, which will be open all weekend - Sat 9am-4pm and Sun 10am-4pm.

• Art Affair - Tui House, 47 Morrison Dr, Warkworth

• Sat 29 March to Sun 30 March, 10am – 4pm. Entry by donation

• For more info and to buy your tickers: https://bit.ly/4k0qpec