The Northern Advocate

Students for school murals

Kerikeri artist funded through Creatives in Schools programme

- Sandy Myhre

Kerikeri artist Erika Pearce is painting murals around Kerikeri Primary School. She is halfway through the process, and waiting patiently for the spring weather to behave.

She was first approached by the principal, who had seen her mural in Bluff. Another teacher had seen her artwork in Paihia, and when they realised she was a local, they made contact and proposed the undertakin­g. They applied for funding through Creatives in Schools and received a grant for the project.

“The brief was to create four murals that represent four significan­t areas around Kerikeri — Puketi Forest, Te Awa o Ngā Rangita, the Bay of Islands and Mount Pokaka,” she said.

“I then hosted a number of workshops and took the students through my entire design process, from brief, to research, to concepts and developmen­t.

“They then created their own mural design based on one of the four areas, and I created the four mural designs based on their artwork.”

She has painted several murals around Paihia, including the sea wall.

In fact, her murals can be seen around New Zealand. She is in talks for new murals around Kerikeri, and regarding that, she says: “Watch this space.”

She has been a fulltime artist for the past 10 years. Besides painting murals, she will paint commission­s, and she is also a graphic designer and illustrato­r.

“I have loved all the interactio­ns with the kids — it’s such a great school to work with.”

Kawakawa Theatre and Gallery back in action

After a long Covid-induced closure, Kings Theatre Creative in Kawakawa is back open as a gallery and venue for the 2022-23 summer season.

Spokespers­on for the venue, Lau’rell Pratt, said they are “dusting off and getting the gallery ready, and we are slowly moving through the shapes and spaces”.

Last Thursday, they kicked off with a live music performanc­e by Nikau Te Hiki from Raglan. His Casual Healing was a soulful two-hour set of hand-picked waiata, covers, and 12 original songs from his upcoming album.

The first gallery exhibition contains artwork from Herb Foley of Kerikeri. It opened on November 26 and runs until January. It is a display of 15 of his paintings reflecting on the gardens around his home.

“It is a delicate hand in uncertain times,” said Lau’rell, “and offers a subtle reminder of the magic in life’s

 ?? ?? One of the completed murals (left) at Kerikeri Primary School created by local artist Erika Pearce, and (above) a work in progress.
One of the completed murals (left) at Kerikeri Primary School created by local artist Erika Pearce, and (above) a work in progress.
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