Birthday treat for Richmond street piano
After three years of having its ivories regularly tinkled by passers-by, the Richmond street piano is getting a much-needed makeover.
In preparation for The Richmond Community Street Piano’s birthday celebrations, women from the Tasman Visual Arts Group took a bucket full of cleaning products, brushes and paints to restore the popular piano back to its former glory.
The artwork on the piano reflects the region, including New Zealand’s native tui, the sea and red wine.
Horses on the beach are boldly painted on the back and tall nikau palms grace the sides.
Tasman Visual Arts Group member Diana Green said the musical instrument was ‘‘filthy’’.
She said she had seen street pianos in some of New Zealand’s bigger cities but they were ’’nowhere near’’ as good as Richmond’s.
‘‘We can be very proud of what we’ve done.’’
The piano was given a new lease of life after Tasman Visual Arts Group member Steph Buck discovered it in a shed at the back of Eyebright.
After making enquiries about it, Buck snapped up the near-new Beale piano.
‘‘It had always been a dream, I’d wanted to do it forever.’’
The piano moves around a few locations through Richmond’s main township but it can usually be found at Sundial Square or under the shelter outside The Warehouse, Benge & Co and Kmart.
Buck said several retailers in Richmond often took the piano inside at night before placing it back outside during the day.
Out in the elements, fluctuating temperatures take their toll on the tone of the piano, requiring regular visits from a local tuner.
‘‘Who wants to play an out of tune piano? Nobody,’’ Buck said.
In tune and in use, the piano sees ‘‘huge amounts’’ of people at its seat and it’s particularly popular with tourists.
‘‘They’re blown away; they’ve never seen anything like it. They can’t believe that it sits out here and doesn’t get vandalised.’’
The piano has only been damaged twice, she said, and had been fixed.
As Buck watched the piano being prepared for a touch-up she considered the benefits of the town’s street piano.
‘‘I just think, you watch people’s demeanour when they hear music. It just makes people feel good and they love it.
‘‘Music is so therapeutic and to have the opportunity to sit and just play it on the street ...’’