Local talent shines bright at Warkworth Oaks

The Art in August exhibition, now in its third year, has seen increasing success and a growing audience with each new edition. The chimney in the Southgate Room at the Warkworth Hotel consistently provides a stunning backdrop for an exhibition featuring over 200 pieces, ranging from captivating seascapes and striking animal portraits to abstract and mixed media works.

The exhibition showcased paintings by established artists like Arlin Sukarlin, known for his experimental works using acrylic paint on board or canvas. Based in Marlborough, Sukarlin earned second place in International Artist magazine's abstract and experimental competition with his piece 'Enchantment.'

The exhibition also featured a range of gifted local artists, including Sonia and Blair Fraser, Simon Payton, and Claire Erica. Claire Erica has developed a lifelong dedication to wildlife, landscapes, and New Zealand native studies. Her art is inspired by personal photographic observations of the natural environment, providing ongoing creative fuel.

In previous years, Mahurangi College students have contributed to the Art in August exhibition, sharing their creativity with the community. Although this wasn't possible this year, local and South Island artists have united to support the Art Department, as commissions from the artists will benefit Mahurangi College's Art Department.

Five artists from Warkworth Oaks also participated, displaying their works. Among them was Anne Galea, who has been passionately painting for over 10 years. Anne specializes in watercolors and has exhibited with the Watercolour Society in Takapuna as well as at Estuary Arts in Orewa.

Two Warkworth Oaks residents achieved sales at the exhibition, including Elva Leaming, who sold her painting "The beach". Elva, who has been painting for over five years, primarily in watercolor, also sold copies of her book, "The Takapuna Tram", which she both wrote and illustrated. The book tells the fascinating story of the Takapuna tram, a real piece of history that served as a main mode of public transport on Auckland’s North Shore between 1910 and 1927.

The Art in August exhibition has not only become a significant cultural event but also a vital contributor to the Warkworth community. By bringing together both established and emerging artists, it offers a platform for creative expression while fostering a strong sense of local pride.