OUR WORKSHOPS ARE NOW over FOR 2024.

WE’RE TAKING A BREAK IN 2025 AND WILL BE BACK IN 2026!

Overview of Creative Matakana 2024

VISUAL ARTS

Margaret Woollett gave her experienced insights into modern calligraphy and David Ryan taught painting. Two art tutors came from Australia: Charlotte Thodey, a New Zealander living in Sydney who taught still life in acrylics (her painting of red cabbages above), and Cheryl McGannon from the Sunshine Coast who tutored in cold wax painting with collage and charcoal. 

WRITING

New to our programme was well-known and much-awarded author of fiction, plays and poetry, Stephanie Johnson, teaching creative writing. Stephanie was one of the founders of the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival, and was the 2023 recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Literature.

TEXTILES

We had Jo Kinross exploring ways to work with indigo, Australian artist Ilka White using recycled fabrics to teach the art of braided rugs, and Ingrid Anderson’s elegant (and fun) screen-printing.

ONE DAY WONDERS

As usual, these were both interesting and informative. Our big coup was having the executive chef of Ahi restaurant, Mike Shatura, demonstrating the techniques which made Ahi Supreme Winner of the Viva Top 50 Auckland Restaurants for 2023 – this day will include a no-doubt-memorable lunch. We had global cheese superstar Juliet Harbutt with a workshop on cheese and and an evening pairing cheese with wines; the next day she covered charcuterie and wild game over lunch. We also had two half-days learning about bonsai trees, and potting a tree into a locally-made ceramic bonsai pot.

Our 2023 workshops – take a look…

Our 2023 workshops all had a sustainable angle, in keeping with current ideas around treading lightly in our environment. The programme was a roaring success, despite various stresses of weather – the first time we’ve had bad weather in six years, and hopefully the last. Photos of our workshops are available on our gallery page – click here to see some of the amazing work produced by our participants.

More about our area and our sponsors

Less than an hour north of Auckland, Matakana Village is well known for its Saturday farmers’ markets,
its beaches and vineyards. Creative and innovative people live here: artists and musicians, artisan food producers and winemakers. There are premium food and wine options, a range of vintage shops, boutiques and galleries, and a beautiful coastline with walks and regional parks to explore.

In this environment, we offer a week-long programme of creative courses held in early May each year, some for the full five days, with shorter workshops also available. Participants learn from talented tutors, exchange ideas and techniques, meet people with diverse interests, and discover Matakana and its beautiful surroundings. Extra events include a welcome event and a participant’s dinner.