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Local art brightens council wallsJULIA WADE A fortuitous encounter between a local artist and the bare walls of Kaipara District Council’s new offices has resulted in another venue for people to view the multi-talent of Mangawhai artists. Following a visit to the council’s new premises at The Hub, Mangawhai Village, artist Rosina Kamphuis (creator and coordinator for community art projects, ‘Project Stingray’ in April 2017 and ‘One Moonlit Night’ April 2018) became instantly inspired to initiate a new project – ‘Art at Kaipara District Council, Mangawhai’. “It was quite by chance,” she says. “I saw beautiful vacant, newly painted walls and thought, Wow! Art space! A not-to-be-missed opportunity for Mangawhai artists, Kaipara Council and the Mangawhai community.” The idea of the project is to exhibit the works of three local artists of various media over three month time slots. Ongoing exhibitions will be curated by Kamphuis and fellow artist and project leader, Nicola Everett, in collaboration with KDC facilities coordinator Fleur Denize. ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to partner with the Mangawhai Artists,” Denize says. “I hope the artists and community get as much value from it as we do.” Although there will be no actual sales in the building, contact details of the artists and Mangawhai Artist Inc (MAI) will be available for people interested in the artwork or in the local art scene. The first three works – by photographer Josie Gritten with a selection of photographic prints, wood artist John Ecuyer with a carved ebony sculpture, and Kamphuis who exhibits a canvas of mixed media – are already adorning council’s walls for staff and visitors to enjoy. “This is an exciting, collaborative project that aims to connect the community and the arts in Mangawhai,” she says. “To create a little magic on the walls of our KDC offices, to promote and support our local artists and MAI, and introduce visitors to KDC’s reception area to Mangawhai’s vibrant art scene.”
Hanging the first works: Back left, building technical support, Sharon Martin; wood artist John Ecuyer; facilities coordinator Fleur Denize; quality assurance manager Joy Hewlett; project leader and artist Nicola Everett. Front left, project leader and artist Rosina Kamphuis; MAI chair and artist Mary-Anne Boyd, who says artists are delighted to collaborate with council as ‘creativity and art are an essential part of a great community’. Absent: Josie Gritten. PHOTO/CHRIS DEN HARTOG |
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