Riversdale Arts Mixed Media Art Exhibition

Sometimes, the finest things in life are found in slightly unexpected places.

And so it is with the annual Riversdale Arts Exhibition - a majestically curated visual feast of outstanding artwork stylishly displayed by the effervescent Riversdale Arts team.

An extravaganza of artistic creation unfurls every July as invited guests at the top of their game showcase their work.

Riversdale Arts is a group of enthusiastic art lovers based in the charming, rural Northern Southland town. Each year, they curate this stunning mixed-media exhibition that runs over 10 days.

Next event date: 19-28 July 2024
Location: Northern Southland
Keen to learn more: riversdalearts.co.nz

From its beginnings half a century ago, the exhibition has blossomed into an iconic event attracting some of New Zealand’s finest artists, from sculpture to ceramics, painting, photography, glasswork, pottery, jewellery and textiles.

During the year, Riversdale Arts complements this annual hive of activity with art classes from painting to wire sculpture to lino cut printing, willow-ball making and wool felting.

The group is a supportive nest of the arts that aims to facilitate, promote, educate and foster support for the arts in all their various forms. 

The mid-July gala exhibition opening night unfurls, announcing the beginning of the annual celebration of creative excellence.

The list of artistic luminaries who have exhibited is a testament to the high regard the event is held in and reads like a who’s who of the southern and national creative art scenes.

It’s a must-see on the events calendar, showcasing more than 500 artworks in a variety of mediums from more than 80 artists.

Invited artists from throughout New Zealand line up alongside aspiring local artists.

The Emerging Artist Award, awarded on opening night, is one of the many highlights of the exhibition. It is open to artists aged 13 to 25, and work from selected finalists is displayed in the exhibition.

Large audiences flock from throughout Otago and Southland to view the artworks. The exhibition allows anyone passing through the beautiful town to peruse the works and maybe add something unique to their collections.

Fabulous coffee and delicious food are served up at the Yum – Pop up Café, run by the Balfour Home and School, with an ever-changing menu of offerings to keep yourself fuelled up. Be sure to check out the fantastic gift shop packed with works from invited craftspeople and exhibition artists - there’s sure to be something there that will look amazing at your place.

Riversdale alights with energy during the exhibition, with local schools and play centres encouraged to participate and have work displayed in the café at the exhibition.

For more inspiration, you must fully explore Northern Southland, a beautiful contrast of green, rolling farmland, majestic snow-capped mountains, and tussock-clad high country.

Both the Oreti River and the upper section of the Mataura River run through Northern Southland, offering some of the best dry fly fishing in the world and some of the best cycling trails and mountain bike tracks in New Zealand.

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