This weekend promises to be a treat for art lovers. Along with the two-day Art and Garden Trail, the much-loved Arthouse Exhibition kicks off tomorrow and will run over four weekends, offering an exciting showcase of talent.

The annual Arthouse Exhibition, hosted by the Whakatane Society of Arts and Crafts, is perfectly timed just ahead of Christmas. Visitors will find a vibrant display of new artworks from society members, featuring a variety of mediums – from paintings and drawings to textile work, pottery, woodwork, and more. It’s a one-stop shop for crafted gifts.

Located at the Art House on the corner of McAlister and Short streets, the exhibition is easily accessible and offers plenty of parking. Visitors can also chat to artists and artisans in residence.

In the pottery shed, attendees can tap into their own creativity by making festive Christmas decorations. Under the guidance of experienced potters, you’ll get the chance to create something special.

Woodwork enthusiasts will enjoy a hands-on experience in the woodworkers’ workshop tomorrow.

Woodturner Nadia Kremer will introduce visitors to the art of pyrography for a small fee, a fun and creative experience. She will be there between 10am and 1pm.

Kremer has become a skilled woodworker after two years of learning from senior woodturners in the Art House.

“The woodturners group meets up every Tuesday evening,” she said.

Beginners, she said, were more than welcome to come along to the Tuesday meetings, with seasoned woodturner Mervyn Bennett on hand to teach newcomers how to use tools such as a lathe and carving implements.

The group is small, but they are keen to grow it, encouraging newbies to come along and give it a try.

Check out the Whakatane Woodcraft Club’s Facebook page.

“I started turning about two years ago and shortly after my husband joined,” said Kremer. Her two young daughters are also creatives – doing embroidery with a group that meets at the Art House.

Kremer’s journey into woodworking began with her childhood in Venezuela, where she watched her father restore church sculptures.

“I grew up seeing wood shavings everywhere and seeing him doing all this amazing work. Every now and again I was allowed to help him. And that is where my love comes from for gold leaf because sometimes, I was allowed to touch the gold and help him with that, and that was very special.”

Her work spans a wide variety of pieces, from jewellery, to bowls and platters, wooden lanterns and much more.

“I started to embellish the items I made. I like to experiment a lot with fire and so I burn my pieces, or do pyrography or colour on them, with pigments, inks and gold leaf.”

It is also the organic and sustainable nature of wood that draws her to this medium: “I like wood with a story. I harvest the wood myself if possible. When there is a tree that has fallen down. I will go and get it. Recently, a hundred-year-old tree fell on a farm in Taneatua and we went and harvested the wood. But I also use the wood from the club.”

Kremer will have her works for sale at the exhibition this weekend.

In addition to the artistic displays, hands-on experiences in the pottery and woodworkers’ sheds, visitors can look forward to a raffle running throughout the exhibition, offering the chance to win original art and craft pieces.