‘Can-do’ could ... and did

Where has 2018 gone? This year seems to have been a whirlwind of activity. As I sit back and reflect on the year, I believe the arts have had a higher than usual profile this year. There have been some lows, but I think they have been outweighed by highs. The south is in a good space regarding the arts and I am excited about what the New Year will bring. The collaboration between Southland Museum and Art Gallery and Invercargill Public Arts Gallery is a great initiative and I trust the developments in Invercargill’s CBD give opportunities for arts, culture and heritage to be celebrated.

There have been many highlights this year, that reflect Southerners ‘‘can-do’’ attitude. School students had the opportunity to participate in Arts in Motion #Murihiku/Southland (AIM), an idea from a group of educators and community advocates that let young people showcase performance, technical and stage management skills. Totally collaborative in its approach, AIM illustrated what a group of passionate people can achieve in a short space of time.

I attended 30th Hokonui Fashion awards in Gore and wow, what an amazing evening. This premier event draws entries from all over New Zealand and I believe the ‘‘can-do’’ attitude is key to its success. Clever and motivated visionaries from Eastern Southland had an idea more than 30 years ago; now, the awards are firmly established as a key event on the national fashion calendar. In the south amazing things happen.

Another highlight was the Southland Art Foundation’s collaboration with the Riverton Arts Centre to host William Hodges fellow Anna de Soto. Her paintings are a reinterpretation of local colonial women and a celebration of the suffragette movement’s 125th anniversary. Well done to both the Southland Art Foundation and Riverton Arts Centre for ensuring this opportunity for visual artists to spend time in Southland continues.

Some of New Zealand’s top street artists came together in Riverton for the South Sea Spray festival. Groups of art students got to meet some of the artists, such as internationally recognised artist Hayley King, who is known as Flox.

The ‘‘can-do’’ attitude of local street artist DeOW (Danny Owens), funders and a team of dedicated supporters meant that this fantastic event happened in the south.

This year I believe the outstanding ‘‘can-do’’ award for the arts, culture and heritage has joint winners: the Waikaia community and the huge efforts during the past 30 years to officially open their museum last week, and the South Catlins Charitable Trust for their hard work since 2002, culminating in the Tumu Toka- Curioscape.

Murihiku/Southland is a place full of creative, hardworking, inspiring, and connected ‘‘can-do’’ people. Thank you to all those in the south and Wakatipu Basin who work tirelessly for and in the arts. You are adding vibrancy, inspiration and joy to your communities. We look forward with anticipation to what is coming up in 2019.

Thank you also to those kind people who have said you enjoy reading this column. It’s been heartening to receive positive feedback from individuals throughout all sectors of our community. I am delighted that you are interested in what is happening in arts and creativity in the south.

Until next year, seasons greetings to you all. May you have a joy-filled festive season. 1. The Barbary Coast, which was notorious for its pirates, was located where: The Caribbean, the Persian Gulf or North Africa?

2. Does a lurcher have paws, wings or foliage?

3. What famous fictional character first appeared in John Le Carre´’s 1961 novel Call for the Dead?

4. Sous vide is a technique used in what?

5. The names Pier Paolo Pasolini, Michelangelo Antonioni and Vittorio De Sica are associated with what industry? 6. The car manufacturer SEAT is based in what country?

7. What American actor was born Frank James Cooper but adopted a first name inspired by an Indiana steel town?

8. What country is the world’s largest producer of olives?

9. What famous American bell was left permanently cracked after it was rung to mark the anniversary of George Washington’s birthday in 1846?