Award recognised local musicians
The South Canterbury Museum is preparing to reopen on Tuesday, following seven weeks of closure.
Like other public facilities, the Museum is required to take steps to protect visitors and staff, and at the same time provide access to our region’s heritage.
The seven-week closure period is unfortunate as it coincided with the timing of the latest exhibition, Live ’n Loud: Snapshots and remnants from Timaru’s rock scene in the 1980s and 90s.
This exhibition was due to conclude on May 24, but will now extend into early July, giving locals a chance to catch a glimpse of a vibrant music and social scene from the end of last century.
One of the most poignant items on display is a New Zealand Music Hall of Fame
Legacy award, presented posthumously to guitarist Steve Cowan.
Cowan was an original member of The Dance Exponents, and died in 1987.
The Legacy award was presented to all members of the Exponents, whose founding trio of Cowan, Brian Jones and Jordan Luck left Timaru in 1981 to create what was to become one of New Zealand’s best-loved bands.
The Legacy award, known as the ‘‘Soundshell’’, is a gold-plated conch shell sculpted by renowned New Zealand artist Jim Wheeler.
The interior of the shell bears an outline of New Zealand with a series of soundwaves radiating outwards.
Cowan’s award was presented to his family who have kindly loaned it to the museum for the Live ’n Loud exhibition.