A Yukka rock garden seven years ago, today the Towersey garden is park-like with established deciduous trees and floriferous borders with an abundance of perennials, roses and flowers for picking. Many plants are self-propagated, or from friends and our grandparents. This is a memory garden in a peaceful setting with two large ponds and an abundance of birdlife.

Isaac re-works wood and metals into eye-catching and unique art pieces for homes and gardens. His favourite mediums are copper, steel and aged wood, and he enjoys customising his work to fit his clients’ specifications. His hand-crafted mirrors, sundials, garden totems and wall art adorn homes throughout New Zealand. His latest works will be available for purchase during the festival at the Cool Plants Garden on the Matua peninsular.

*Artist at Cool Plants Garden 

"The photograph reports; the painting examines, interprets, expands," cites Helen Rejthar who has been painting for many years. Helen, who has a Fine Arts Degree, discovered her love of realism and portraiture quite by chance when she began painting her own, growing family. She loves the portrait’s ability to capture the true essence of children, in a way a photograph couldn’t. Her career as an artist has continued from there with solo exhibitions and a long list of children’s commissions to work her way through.

*Artist at Littlebach Garden