Public chips in for exhibition
Museum staff had no idea how their upcoming exhibition would shape up when they began asking South Cantabrians for items significant to them, but they are delighted with the result so far.
‘‘It’s a bit of a leap into the unknown,’’ South Canterbury Museum social history curator Chris Rapley said.
The exhibition, My Favourite Things, opens May 19 and features items that carry personal meaning.
‘‘I’m really excited to be interacting with the community in that way. It’s quite humbling.’’
One of the earliest items secured was an insect collection belonging to a young boy who was a member of the museum’s Explorers Club.
Timaru District Mayor Damon Odey is lending items from his previous life working on a ship.
Other items include a wedding suit from the 1970s and mementos passed down through generations, with about 25 people already having offered something.
The items will be split between eight cases, each accompanied by a description of the object and what it means to the owner.
‘‘I imagine once the show opens people will see something that reminds them of their own history.’’
‘‘What we’re going for colourful show.
‘‘We wanted to do something which really just changed the space.’’
Rapley - who got the idea while working at Te Awamutu’s museum in the is a nice, North Island, where a similar exhibition was organised - said putting it together made him realise how generous South Cantabrians were.
He was keen to see the exhibition become part of the museum’s schedule, popping up once a year or every 18 months.
The exhibition runs until July 22.