Sofa, so good for clifftop mosaic
A seat so good-looking it will rival the view out to sea is being pieced together on a clifftop at Opunake.
Deborah Campbell and Robyn Chard, who share a passion for mosaic artwork, have spent each fine day for the past few weeks painstakingly covering a concrete sofa in colourful tile patterns and pictures.
The seat is being created by the Opunake Mosaic Group. It sits beside a developing garden at the end of Napier St, looking straight out to sea over the bay.
Campbell said the pair came up with the idea two years ago. They set up a mosaics group and applied for Creative Communities funding to buy materials.
The sofa was created by Opunake builder Brian Wallbutton and James Brown of Opunake Concrete Works, using a cattle feed trough as a base and some clever shaping and boxing to create the curved back and rolled arms. Now it is being decorated. ‘‘Robyn and I are the main ones doing it but every now and then someone else comes along and gives us an hour,’’ Campbell said.
‘‘I work from pictures, it’s all got to be perfect, but Robyn likes to go freehand.’’ More projects might follow. ‘‘We are both so fired up, we might want to carry on, who knows.’’
Both women found the process of glueing and grouting engrossing, although they did stop work to admire the view from time to time, said Chard.
Both women live within metres of the project so were able to see it from home. They had even made nighttime visits to the sofa.
‘‘It’s a very relaxing hobby, although it sometimes wakes me up in the middle of the night, thinking about where I should have placed different tiles.’’
‘‘People are already sitting on it, it’s really popular,’’ said Chard.
Meanwhile, the Egmont Community Arts Council announced plans in February to set a series of artworks along the 7km walkway, which circles a lake and winds along the clifftop between the town and the sea.
The works would be a mix of sculptures and artistic seating, Arts council deputy president Rhonda Crawford, of Opunake, said. The sofa would become part of this.
‘‘It’s very much a community project, we are all on the same page.’’
The council would soon be contacting artists and others interested in the project. Decanta - Open Mic Night - 8pm, Crowded House - Old School Vegas night - 7pm,
RIG 66 - Raybern Karaoke - 7.30pm,
Sporty’s Bar - Off The Cuff - 7.30pm.
Decanta - K2 The Power - 10pm, Crowded House - DJ Lukie in the house - 11pm, Shifty’s Bell Block - Karaoke - 8pm, Icons - Party on with DJ Nightlife - 10pm,
The Good Home - Ash and Aiden - 8pm,
Peggy Gordons - The Dodgy Jacks,
New Commercial Hotel Stratford - Raybern Karaoke - 9pm,
New Plymouth Club - Final Heat Open Karaoke Quest & Raybern Karaoke - 8.30pm,
Little Theatre - Singer Songwriters - 7pm, Free Entry Decanta - Front House- 10.30pm, Crowded House - DJ Good Vibes - 11pm,
Mayfair - Super Rugby Semi Finals, Hurricanes vs Chiefs 7.30pm, Lions vs Highlanders 1am,
Shifty’s Bell Block - Karaoke - 9pm, Studio 64 Inglewood – Waitai, Maori, World and contemporary music Featuring Robyn Kamira and Krissy Jackson - 8pm,
Icons - Hurricanes Vs Chiefs then Karaoke all night long - 7.30,
The Good Home - Hurricanes vs chiefs then DJ Lukie - 7.30,
Peggy Gordons - The Dodgy Jacks, RIG 66 - Just Us - 8pm Tonight, Sporty’s in Fitzroy has local guitar legend Ross Halliday and Off the Cuff in for some sweet guitar tunes, and don’t forget the Open Mic Night at Decanta, always an excellent display of musical talent in a fun atmosphere. On Friday night, the gig pick would be the monthly Singer Songwriters evening at Little Theatre, there are up to 20 acts on the card usually, and this includes some of the best local talent in Taranaki, you will know many of these performers, it’s a great night, free entry, and cash bar available. This Saturday night, the delightful Studio 64 at 64 Rata Street Inglewood has Waitai, Maori, World and contemporary music. Featuring Robyn Kamira and Krissy Jackson from 8pm $15. Doors open 7.30pm. Go and experience live music in this warm, intimate venue. Over the weekend there are also excellent covers bands in many of our pubs as listed, all of these bands are good so take your pick.