PRESS RELEASE
Orewa, 1st March 2007.
Available For Immediate Release

Art centre ‘heart and soul’ of Rodney’s art fraternity

“This morning was about giving a heart and soul to the art fraternity of Rodney District and I want to acknowledge all the work and dedication that have gone into this project,” said Mayor John Law during a dawn blessing ceremony of the new Estuary Arts Centre in Orewa.

Kaumatua Whero Nahi of Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara led the blessing in this impressive art centre on Hibiscus Coast Highway – previously a KFC store.

Mayor Law added: “It’s appropriate to have blessed our beautiful new art centre, which will provide a focus and sense of belonging to our artists.љ Art to me reflects how people feel about a community – and our artists reflect how people feel about Rodney.љ Now they can exhibit locally and we can start attracting art from far and wide.”

At the crack of dawn the community group in attendance comprising Councillors, Ngati Whatua Nga Rima O Kaipara representatives, TAFI Charitable Trust trustees, Arts Forum Incorporated committee members, local artists and RDC staff were called into the new arts centre by kaikarakia Jane Sherard, after which kaumatua Nahi led the party through the building, blessing each room.

Chairperson of the Arts Forum Inc. and TAFI trustee David Poole said: “This was an amazing achievement for the whole community and it will bring the well-being of the community to the fore as a flagship exhibition venue.љ One of our aims is to gain an international reputation and we are already planning projects such as a sculpting symposium and hoping to attract overseas artists.”

Mr. Poole - a local international artist whose work is on display - added: “We have on display international artists living locally, for example Brian Moore and Alistair Smith and we are planning a retrospective exhibition of the late Peter Oxburough’s work. љAnother local international artist, Terry Stringer is planning to exhibit as well.”

Mr. Poole acknowledged the contributions by 25 sponsors to the establishment of the art centre.

Mr. Nigel Smith, Chairperson of TAFI Trust said:љ “I’m as pleased as punch; it is a real accomplishment for the whole of our district.љ There has always been a screaming desperation for an arts centre in Orewa and we appreciate that Rodney District Council considered us when the building came free.”

Mr. Smith added that he has confidence that the centre will prove itself, as it will not only focus locally, but also nationally and even internationally.љ

A special moment was when local artist Shane Dudley gifted his piece Te Manawa to Ngati Whatua Nga Rima O Kaipara.љ He used mainly cockle and pipi shells on a “section through a koru” to represent the “continuation of life”.

Local artist Carole Innes believes the centre will become a very special exhibition venue and she is proud to have received an opportunity to exhibit. љShe acknowledged David Poole’s “huge” fund-raising effort.

ENDS

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