Dutch-born artist Lea Woutersen’s home studio just outside Cambridge is the epitome of cool.
Artist Lea Woutersen with some of the work she will show at the upcoming Passion for Art Trail. Photo: Viv Posselt
It’s light and airy, crafted by her husband using wood reclaimed from their farming days, and stands not far from their imposing log home that could easily belong in the Canadian wilderness.
It’s in the little white studio that Lea works, and it is from there that she will exhibit her work as one of 13 artists on the upcoming Passion for Art Trail being held alongside next month’s 2024 Rotary Cambridge Garden Festival.
Expressionist artist Carole Hughes.
The November 9-10 art trail has been organised by Carole Hughes, who will exhibit her fauve art paintings throughout that weekend. The event offers enthusiasts an opportunity to visit local artists, including painters, printmakers, ceramic artists and sculptors, and explore two local galleries.
Hughes said the art exhibition is always popular, and because of its link with the Garden Festival, it attracts many out-of-towners keen to make a weekend of it.
“Cambridge Rotary gives us a great opportunity to show our studios … they are very supportive of our local artists,” she said.
Lea Woutersen and her family have been in New Zealand since 1990. Her interest in art grew from the few drawings she did as a youngster in Holland to the eclectic range of styles she explores and exhibits today.
“I like to try a lot of new things … I find that much more interesting, more fun than settling into just one style,” she said.
She paints in oils and acrylics, draws in charcoal, makes unusual figurines, does encaustic (hot wax) art and creates sculptures from gourds she grows in the garden then dries on her deck.
The Passion for Art Trail runs across both November 9 and 10, while the Rotary Cambridge Garden Festival runs only on the Sunday, November 10.
Cambridge Rotary Club president Gary Smith – who is delighted the festival is back during his tenure – said last week that ticket sales were humming.
“We’ve sold around 900 but would like to sell some 300 more if possible. All festival proceeds go to our three recipient charities – Kids in Need Waikato, Interlock NZ Trust, and Cambridge Lifeskills,” he said. “This is something that supports our local community, with a focus on our young people.
“We have 11 great gardens featured this year, many of them new to fans of previous garden festivals. There will also be stalls selling plants, and opportunities to have a coffee at some places, including at our ‘hub’ for the day at Cambridge Raceway.”
Details and tickets are available at www.cgf.nz, and ticket sales are also at Amber Garden Centre, and Cambridge i-Site.
Tickets include a map for both the gardens and art trail.
Artist Lea Woutersen
