When is art more than art and what can it do for us as people?
That’s a huge question. I believe that art is at the heart of what it means to be human. We were created to create.
Creativity brings joy, hope, fulfilment and a sense of community. It can mean different things to different people.
I thought that I would share a few stories regarding how art and the creative process has changed and will change people’s lives and the well-being of our community.
Picture, if you will a local photographer, let’s call her Artist D.
Super talented, a bit older in years, compassionate, kind and humble. She’s been taking photos for a few years, so many in fact that her old camera dies.
Long story- short it’s a real struggle to get a new camera, but with a little help from others in our community, she has an exhibition of her work. The results are amazing.
To date 18-plus works are sold, the response from the public is superbly positive.
In the past Artist D would not confidently speak in public. She now regularly gives floor talks, she is speaking to photographic societies about her work.
A professor has visited the exhibition. The professor gives lectures about the pollination by birds of flowers all throughout the world and guess whose photos will now be included in her international presentations.
An artist’s struggle and subsequent exhibition turns out to be something much more than just an exhibition.
It’s life changing, bringing joy to the artist and others, a sense of fulfilment and an increasing sense of community.
Artist E, too has had struggles this time of the health kind.
Things haven’t been easy for many years.
He has talent and has studied under a master.
Artist E has amazing skills, in depth understanding of form and beautiful execution of his work.
He really a star waiting to be discovered.
Arts Murihiku is working with Artist E to help make his dreams of becoming a full-time artist a reality.
We all know that it’s not going to be easy, but we are going to work together to give it our best shot.
Let’s bring our community closer through literature.
Lilliput Libraries are coming to Southland.
Lilliput libraries, are an initiative started in New Zealand in Dunedin by Ruth Arnison of Poems in the Waiting Room fame.
A Lilliput library is a little letter box containing two shelves and Perspex at the front. Books for grown-ups at the top and books for non-grown ups on the bottom.
You can choose which shelf you put a book in or take a book out of. It’s like the old- fashioned corner store.
Each library has a guardian who looks after and cares for the library.
The libraries can be at the front of your section or in the grounds of a school, rest home or kindergarten.
The locations are endless
Thanks to the wonderful people at Invercargill Menz Shed, Placemakers and Resene we have 10 libraries being constructed at present.
We already have homes for over half the libraries with suitable guardians and venues found.
This is a pilot programme and if it is successful it will continue. There are already over 140 Lilliput libraries throughout Otago. If you are interested in being part of the Lilliput revolution please don’t hesitate to contact me.
And finally let’s knit, weave, crochet or felt our community together one stich at a time.
A Bit of a Yarn returns from its successful debut in the Southland Festival of the Arts in 2016.
Yarn bombers cover or make objects from yarn in all its forms.
This time with an animal theme – Southland Safari no less.
Primates in Windsor?
Fish in Riverton?
Dinosaurs at the stadium?
The possibilities are endless. For more information look on Facebook for abitofayarn or contact the coordinator on 021 119 709.
The arts bring people together, create community and make us understand what it is to be human. Let’s embrace them.
