NZ Pacific Studio Re-opens

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday, 23 January 2023

WAIRARAPA INTERNATIONAL ARTS PROGRAMME RE-OPENS: Opportunities for Tangata Whenua and Writers

The international arts residency programme New Zealand Pacific Studio invites applications for two residencies in rural Wairarapa – the Te Ao o Te Pūkeko Residency and the RAK Mason Writer’s Residency.

“NZ Pacific Studio is thrilled to re-open and offer these opportunities for creative people in Aotearoa and abroad,” says Madeleine Slavick, Chair. “We look forward to welcoming the artists to our community.”

The Te Ao o Te Pūkeko Residency in April 2023 is open to tangata whenua – based in Aotearoa or abroad - to explore their connections with taioa and reflect on their Toi Māori. The initiative is supported by Wairarapa residents Gaye Sutton and Michael Woodcock, who have provided the Kaupapa: “Given our closeness to the ngahere of Taratahi, the small awa on this place and nearby rivers and our passion for taiao and our environmental activism over the years, we hope this residency appeals to someone exploring their engagement with taiao.”

The RAK Mason Writer’s Residency in May 2023 is open to writers in Aotearoa or abroad, and honours RAK Mason (1905-1971) with his intense energy, commitment to literature, and interest in how different genres inform each other. The sponsors, since 2014, wish to remain anonymous but remark: “We’re very happy to promote ideas and writing via the RAK Mason Writer’s Residency, and relish our contact with writers and their creations. While Wairarapa has been deeply enriched, so has global art.”

Award-winning writer Jenny Powell from Dunedin held the last residency in 2020, when she was in the final phases of her book on Rita Angus - ‘Meeting Rita’ was published the following year.

Powell says the residency “gave me gifts of time and place... I am extremely grateful to have received that opportunity. The cultural wealth of Wairarapa enriched my experience, and I was able to share poetry writing and discussion with a class of secondary school students. Reading at the Yarns in Barns Festival introduced me to new and established poets in a stunning vineyard setting.

“The close variety of landscapes crept in to my own imagining of Rita Angus’ seeing and painting.”

“Our volunteer organisation cherishes the support from individuals or groups who sponsor residencies,” says Slavick. “These can be designed for emerging artists, poets, musicians... – let’s kōrero!”

She adds that it’s a coincidence that NZPS’ last overseas artist arrived exactly three years ago, on 31st January, which is the application deadline for the two residencies.

Both residencies provide accommodation in Taratahi, Wairarapa, project support, local transport, a stipend, and the opportunity for a public event.

If you are interested to sponsor a residency, contact us here.

To become a member, join us here!