Ōmokoroa Public Art Group projects
The Ōmokoroa Public Art Group (OPAG) comprises a small number of volunteers who plan and develop public art projects. They seek funding from grants and the local community for these projects, then work with Western Bay of Plenty District Council, the Ōmokoroa Community Board, and the local hapū, Pirirākau, to manage their implementation. We have three projects currently underway.
Flying Godwits Sculpture
If you’ve been walking or cycling through Cooney Reserve in the last week or so, you will have noticed a stunning new kinetic sculpture by local Whakamārama artist Dave Roy. This sculpture pays homage to the Bartailed godwits – Kuaka – that visit Ōmokoroa each year from October/November to March. These amazing birds fly non-stop the 12,000 Km to Aotearoa to feed on our tidal estuaries before embarking on their long journey back to Western Alaska to breed.
Dave Roy comments, “I like to draw an analogy between them and New Zealanders, who, given our small population ‘punch-above-their-weight’ in so many fields around the world”.
Just as the godwits embark on their remarkable journey each year, we hope that cyclists and walkers living in or visiting Ōmokoroa may be inspired to embark on their own journeys. Take a moment to watch the sculpture – the birds will move with the wind!
Dave Roy would like to acknowledge Dwayne Hawkins of Hawkins Marine Ltd. for all his technical assistance with the fabrication of this sculpture. OPAG would like to acknowledge the generous grants from the Ōmokoroa Centre Trust, Creative Bay of Plenty, and the Ōmokoroa Community Board that have enabled the creation of the sculpture.
We have also appreciated the support of Western Bay of Plenty District Council in the planning and implementation of this project, especially Steven White (WBOPDC Reserves Manager for Ōmokoroa). Special thanks too to John Holwerda and Russell Prout from
Sabre Construction for their help with installing the sculpture at the Reserve; their expertise and specialised equipment were invaluable.
Mural at the Domain
The lovely mural on the changing sheds near the playground at the Ōmokoroa Domain is also nearly finished. We just have some ‘captions’ to add to each ‘postcard’ on the mural.
The design has transformed the building and celebrates the many recreational features enjoyed by the local community and visitors to the area.
Expressions of interest
Calling all carvers, woodworkers and sculptors. Creative Bay of Plenty and OPAG, in conjunction with the local hapū, Pirirākau Incorporated Society, are commissioning a carved/relief panel(s) to be created from a black walnut log felled at the local Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve. The panel(s) will be installed inside the temporary library on Western Ave, Ōmokoroa and eventually moved to the new library once this has been constructed.
The call for Expressions of Interest in this project is available online at creativebop.org.nz and scroll down to CBOP Projects & News.
For further information, contact me, Alie Henderson, Chairperson, on 021 248 0173.