Arts funding sizzles for Bay of Islands’ creatives
Far North residents will benefit from a sizzling array of arts initiatives – including a cooking series – thanks to funding support from a local community board this week.
Far North residents will benefit from a sizzling array of arts initiatives – including a cooking series, a photographic exhibition and a theatre performance – after funding was approved by the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board at its meeting this week (Thursday 15 February).
Cooking up a storm in a three-part wānanga, well-known chef Joe McLeod will be teaching kai Māori enthusiasts how to identify, gather, prepare, preserve and cook local food using modern and traditional Māori cooking techniques. The three-part workshop will be held at Te Pātūnga Marae in Kāeo over Easter (29 March to 1 April). The board granted $2700 towards the event, which is a Toi Tangata (Te Hotu Manawa Māori) initiative.
Artistic talent from across the Far North will be on full display at the ‘100 x 100 Art Show’ being held at Kerikeri’s Turner Centre during April. The annual show of 100 original works by 100 artists are all sized to measure just 100mm by 100mm. Continuing the theme, each work will be on sale for $100 when the four-week show opens on Monday 1 April (Easter Monday). The event by ArtsXL Charitable Trust is run with the help of volunteers from the Art in Kerikeri Group and was granted $950 by the community board.
A photographic exhibition tackling access and attitude barriers experienced by women and girls in sports and recreational activities is coming to the Procter Library in Kerikeri on Wednesday 6 March for two weeks. ‘Making Space for Gymnasts & Dancers’ will include up to 24 portraits of local dancers and gymnasts highlighting the importance of play, recreational and sports spaces for girls. The initiative, from Kitted NZ Ltd, was awarded $3000 by the board.
A multisensory immersive theatre production called SparkLIVE is designed for people with profound disabilities. The production by the Glass Ceiling Collective will tour throughout New Zealand with a stop in Kerikeri on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 March. The tour will be supported by a $5000 grant from the community board.
Photo below – chef Joe McLeod hosting a Ngā Kai a te Māori event for Toi Tangata.
