The Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival kicked off on the 6th of September in Whitianga with the launch of CoroCine, a three-day local film festival showcasing the best in Hauraki Coromandel filmmaking. And in December, we see it ending in an experimental community music collaboration, Random Addition #3. From film, music, creative workshops, exhibitions, theatre, and all that comes between, our artbeat spotlighted our creative communities!

By Brooke Dennehy Larkin
The energy on Saturday night at the annual Colville Sings event was nothing short of electric. Upon entering the sparkling and shimmering Colville Hall, a disco ball front and centre lighting up the whole space, it was clear that a one-of-a-kind evening was about to unfold.

Driving Creek’s 50th Anniversary was a weekend to remember. It brought together our community to celebrate Barry Brickell’s legacy and the enduring impact of Driving Creek. The event offered something for everyone, from thought-provoking panel discussions to creative exhibitions and engaging activities.

Maururongo [Ron] Te Kawa, a textile artist and educator, came to Coromandel in August to build a creative space in the Coromandel Citizens Hall

Wailin Elliott and I met at the first Chinese New Zealand Artists Hui, held in 2013 at Corban Estate Arts Centre, where I was the curator. Ten years later I was able to visit Wailin while on a residency at Driving Creek Railway and Pottery. Wailin Elliott is an artist I admire and can relate to as there are distinct parallels between how she forged her practice and the path mine has taken.