Sugar Loafing Arts Cast

An artists’ talk with Adam Portraiture Award 2024 finalists Jana Branca and Maryanne Shearman, both live in Taranaki. Maryanne Shearman is this year’s winner with ‘Tuhi-Ao’.

This week we take a deep dive into improv theatre with Phill Spear, founder of Improv Taranaki, in conversation with Toni Marie Smith, Hannah Taylor and Josh Gross.

Holly Fletcher is the head librarian at Dunedin Athenaeum & Mechanic’s Institute, one of the oldest private libraries still in use. A book lover and a published poet, Holly discovered at a mature age that she was dyslexic.

Lesa Hepburn is a multi-disciplinary artist who uses botanical fibres, plants and recycled materials in her sustainable, low impact arts practice for her 2D and 3D works, installations and prints.

“Sense Art is like painting a picture with words,” says Wendy Lawrence, who believes in accessibility to art for all. Wendy guides free Sense Art Tours at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre for visitors with hearing or vision impairments.

Pottery is the passion of father-daughter team Rick and Rhiannon Wood. Rhiannon just won the Supreme Award in the New Plymouth Potters annual exhibition.

Glass artist Ellie Field’s architectural scale work has been shown with Britain’s top glass artists and commissioned for Singapore airport. Now she’s finding her way back to glass art at a smaller scale.

A conversation about art, creativity, writing, WOMAD poetry slam, and this year’s Taranaki garden trail offerings with freelance writer Virginia Winder.

Lola Elvy is a talented young musician and singer-songwriter studying maths and composition. She’s also the founding editor of the online journal ‘fingers comma toes’ for children and young adults

Weaver and sculptor Karen Rubado is back at from out of the blue studio gallery in Ōpunake with a solo show ‘Unraveling Certainties’ from 18 July to 26 August.