FOCUS Exhibitions for Christmas season
Here we are again, right at the beginning of the ‘silly season’.
Maybe a few of us do go a bit silly at the office parties (ahem… it has been known) but it’s important not to forget the real reason we spend so much time planning this one special day of the year. It’s an opportunity to express the love we feel for the special people in our lives, by giving gifts and a chance to relax with them and have some fun. At the CAN we are gearing up for an incredible preChristmas count down, with the CAN Christmas art and craft market opening on Friday, December 7. Join us for the special preview night, 5pm to 7pm, which coincides with two other exhibition openings, so you can make a night of it.
The Main Gallery will be jam-packed with everything you can imagine, with all the festive goodies handcrafted and locally made. Purchases support the local artists and makers, and ensures you give sustainable gifts that demonstrate real skill and craftsmanship in their creation. While you’re here, purchase a raffle ticket to win a basket of Christmas treats for $2 or three for $5, supporting the CAN in our mission to provide accessible art opportunities to the wider community.
Alongside the Christmas market preview on December 7 at 5-7pm, you can meet the artists at the openings of Marion Brennan’s exhibition Light from Shadow in the Small Gallery and Marama Ngawhika’s exhibition Tu Tangata on the Mezzanine. All welcome, and refreshments provided.
Marion Brennan was born in South Africa but made New Zealand home 24 years ago. She has specialised in scratch board art for the last four years, and has held several successful solo exhibitions and shared exhibitions. Her love of nature and wildlife reflects in Marion’s work. She spends many months of the year travelling and collecting material for her art practice. As part of her opening celebration, Marion will be demonstrating her scratchboard technique, providing you with an inside glimpse into her process. She will also be working and demonstrating in the gallery on several other days during her exhibition too. Check the CAN Facebook page for details.
Marama Ngawhika’s exhibition has been in the planning for quite a while, and is a result of study towards her masters degree. Tu Tangata means ‘stand tall and be counted’, and is a body of work that reflects the kaupapa of Kohanga Reo from a parent’s perspective. Kohanga Reo is an initiative that grew from the 1970s Tu Tangata project — a Ma¯ ori language and cultural revitalisation strategy for families and their children. This exhibition includes artists from the Kohanga wha¯ nau. Parents aged between 20 and 60 years, and their children aged between one year and 30, have worked collaboratively to complete colourful Korowhaiwhai panels.
In the foyer you will also find another two exhibitions — Glen Colechin’s Flow featuring new work in copper and native timber, and Language of Art by local painter Christine Lemin together with three of her students. All of our new exhibitions will be on display for the month of December, so come and explore!
The team at the CAN would like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to wish our manager Christine Heaney a happy retirement at her farewell party recently. We received contributions from so many towards a gift to show appreciation for all her hard work in the arts in Napier, and her commitment in setting up Creative Arts Napier for everyone to enjoy. Christine is going to be enjoying Granny duties, working on her own creative pursuits and taking a well-earned rest. We wish her well for the future, and look forward to her regular visits to see what we are getting up to.
So, we look forward to seeing you at the CAN soon — and remember, those Christmas stockings will need stuffing so bring your prezzie list and treat the art-lovers in your life.
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