V.A.S.T

In May 2004 a group of artists local to the area of Tapawera decided to exhibit their art thus starting up the group V.A.S.T- Visual Arts Society of Tapawera. Seeing as it is a visual arts group it covers a range of media from paintings on canvas, to tiles to pottery.

Kaye Register, a local artist was the elected Chairperson of this group.

Dinkie Phillips from T.D.C.C put a public notice in the local Informer. Upon forming a committee they applied for local fundraising through the T.D.C.C This grant was used to cover the cost of art workshops, advertising and the overall production cost of holding an exhibition. Shortly afterwards the first exhibition was opened to the public on Jan 24 2005 to Feb 3 2006.

Since those early days, more members have joined the group and Tapawera has gained some artistic fame. With guest artists and invited artists every year, there is some new variety every time the exhibition is open.

The exhibition is held annually in the Shedwood Hall for ten days towards the end of January.