Calls for an arts event answered
Tara Shaskey gets the low down on the region’s newest arts festival
When one Taranaki district says it wants more art, it gets more art. Responding to a call from the community, South Taranaki District Council arts coordinator Michaela Stoneman is launching a week-long celebration of art for the district.
The inaugural event, Arts Fest South Taranaki, will be held at the end of the month and is set to feature a series of exhibitions, popups, events and workshops in galleries, theatres, churches, artist studios, town halls and parks.
Stoneman said suggestions received as part of the annual arts satisfaction survey included a signature arts event within the seven towns of South Taranaki, coinciding with the region’s popular and established garden festivals.
‘‘The idea kept popping up, so we are giving it a go this year,’’ she said. ‘‘I asked artists and art groups for expressions of interest to be part of a new festival and received over thirty responses. We also have many unique venues to utilise and enjoy within our towns.’’
Events will include a hands-on workshop at Hollard Gardens and Lake Rotokare and a variety of exhibitions with a focus on nature.
There will also be a music concert by local lads, The Stove, with Auckland woman, Milly, at the Eltham Town Hall, an exhibition and gig at Ohawe Community Hall, a visiting author tour around the libraries and a New Zealand film festival at Everybodys’ Theatre in Opunake.
Many artists will open their studios and create special exhibitions, including a large scale installation in the Cheese Hall at Pihama Lavender.
"The idea kept popping up, so we are giving it a go this year."
South Taranaki District Council arts coordinator Michaela Stoneman
Arts Fest South Taranaki will launch the 16th annual Taranaki National Art Awards Ceremony, featuring more than 300 artworks from around New Zealand competing for a $12,000 prize pool.
The theme this year aligned with another local project, The Great Opunake Yarn Bomb.
Member of band The Stove, Anand Rose is looking forward to playing the country hall as part of the festival.
‘‘The concept behind playing country halls around Taranaki is to be true to our music and play for some of the communities around the mountain,’’ he said.
The five-piece band, whose sound can be described as a cross between Crosby, Still, Nash & Young and The Beatles, was born of a desire to document local history, Rose said.
‘‘Deep down I also look back on a great age of the show bands as they played from town to town bringing a following with them.’’
The festival will run from October 27 until November 5.