One of the many perks of being the arts advocator for Arts Murihiku is the number of amazing people you get to meet.
Last fortnight has been no exception, these folk are usually behind the scenes doing some incredible work in our region. This is not an exhaustive list and apologies to the people I have not included so let’s call this the Super Star Supporters of the Arts Part 1.
So not necessarily in any particular order, here we go…
Angela Newell has been a driving force in area of arts, particularly in theatre and performing arts for many years. Ange has been growing vibrancy in our community by producing events such as the Southland Festival of the Arts, Shakespeare in the Park and the Buskers Festival. Our region is a more vibrant place because of her work.
Pauline Smith and her team from the Murihiku Maori and Pasifika Cultural Trust. Polyfest burst into our region in 2009 and it has grown and grown ever since. Southland’s young people have had the opportunity to celebrate who they and others are. They have worked with amazingly talented people. The team’s work has made Murihiku a much more interesting and accepting place.
Marie Washbourne is a member of Invercargill Pottery Incorporated. This club has been in existence since in the1970’s. Every Tuesday evening from 7-9pm a group of mud-loving magicians create magic of the pottery kind. From pinch pots to wheel thrown creations. Marie is there providing positive support and guidance for the newbies and not-so-newbies. It really is a very special place where all are welcome.
Chris Ramsay new CEO of the ILT has been a background supporter of the arts since he first arrived back in the south a few years ago. He supported the Murihiku Maori and Pasifika Trust bringing Black Grace, the All Blacks of contemporary dance, to Invercargill and this type of support of the arts continues.
Look out on Don St from the end of April for knitted dinosaur skeletons by artist and lecturer at the Otago Polytechnic school of Fine Arts- Michelle Beevors, in the old Fizzy building. Thank you to the ILT and ILT Foundation for ongoing support of the arts in Invercargill.
Lesley Du Mez from Southland Education and CS Art. Lesley has been involved in providing Community Education in the arts for a number of years. There are a diverse range of programmes provided in Invercargill, Gore, Te Anau and Riversdale. Lots of fun, meeting new people, learning new skills, building community and overall well-being.
Dianne Williams from the Community Trust of Southland is another supporter of the arts. Her ability to listen, empathic manner and understanding of the community is vast. Her informed recommendations have meant that the Community Trust of Southland’s support has strengthened the development of Murihiku Maori and Pasifika Cultural Trust’s hugely successful Polyfest. Nga Manu Korero and Hautonga in Murihiku amongst many other cultural projects. The Community Trust of Southland’s support of the arts has allowed us to celebrate the diverse and vibrant nature of our region.
Debbie Smith is one of the coordinators of the Waimumu Arts exhibition held annually in May at the Waimumu Hall during the weekend of Mother’s Day. Debbie’s passion for the arts is infectious. She has an innovative approach. Her opening nights have included living canvases that have featured the body art and hair sculptures of talented hair and maker-up designer Kerry Penisula-Spain. I can’t wait to see what this year’s opening is going to include.
Janice Broad is part of the Southern District Arts Trust team that organises amongst many things the Edge of the World Exhibition. I had the pleasure of attending their opening night last Friday evening and was mightily impressed not only with the quality of the work, but the overall curation of the show. It was a fantastic night .If you get a chance pop out this weekend to Waikawa hall to view this exhibition as it concludes on March 4 you don’t want to miss out.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge two people are or were leading advocators for the arts
Jim Geddes has been working in the Eastern Southland area for many years. His small but highly effective team means that Gore punches well above its weight in the area of Culture, Arts and Heritage. What other rural town has an internationally regarded art gallery? People know that Jim and his team are passionate about culture and heritage. They know that they will care for the taonga they bequeath them, that they will love them.
It was privilege to attend the funeral of Russell Beck earlier in the month. A humble man of passion, vision, kindness, intelligence, compassion, understanding and generosity who willingly not only guided his family to great things but also those within the wider arts community. Thank you, Russell for all you did for our people. The humanity star might just be the twinkle in your eye inspiring us mere mortals below to strive for greater things.
Lisa Tou-McNaughton is executive officer of Arts Murihiku. This was originally published in the Southland Times.
