Kia ora! We are a public-oriented institution. We foster community connections, especially through our supported residencies: artists who receive these awards are mandated to serve the public. Over the years, we've led many workshops, performances, exhibitions, school visits, concerts & Open Studio Days. We love for people to come together, exchange experiences, learn new techniques & collaborate. We thank our volunteers who make it all happen.
2022
We were closed for residencies and public activities due to impacts of the pandemic.
2021
Weeks and months of preparation went into the ALLSORTS concert at the Carterton Events Centre in April - a sold-out show. This was the first time NZ Pacific Studio collaborated with the Wairarapa Community Orchestra, which performed a new composition by our Music Fellow Jonathan Berkahn. It was also the first time that the Orchestra performed at the Events Centre. All in all, a wonderful collaboration, supported by Carterton Creative Communities and Cross Creek Blues Club.
Another huge venture was the ANZAC Bridge Fellowship project initiated by photographer Esther Bunning who designed flags to fly at the ANZAC Memorial Bridge Kaiparoro for ANZAC Day 2021 (25 April), and also to fly in six Wairarapa towns, as well as at Pūkaha and at Aratoi. Big thanks to our partner, Friends of ANZAC Bridge, and to all the sponsors: Trust House, Eketāhuna Mellemskov Museum, Masterton District Council, Carterton District Council, Greytown Community Board, Featherston Property Brokers, and Martinborough Community Board; and to the many community groups and individuals behind the scenes.
2020
Masterton District Fellow Dani Henke held a children's art activity at Masterton District Library, and a meet-the-artist session at Wairarapa Archive. In February and March, Dani Henke exhibited an installation at Aratoi as part of Seaweek 2020. Then our 2020 Masterton District Fellow Kerri McGill - who was forced to extend her stay in Wairarapa due to the pandemic - collaborated with ConArt, Masterton Art Club, Wai Art, Wai Word, and for the month of July has a solo painting at The Miracle Room in Featherston. Kerri was also interviewed by RNZ and Wairarapa Times-Age.
2019
During the year, several NZ Pacific Studio residents ran activities at primary schools, such as Alfredton School, Douglas Park School and Opaki School.
2019 RAK Mason Fellow Jackie Davis and Writer-in-residence Sue Wootton read from their books at Masterton District Library at a free session in October. Jackie Davis also led an activity for the writing group, Quill.
NZPS participated in the community event Block Party 2019, running a charity book sale by the Masterton District Library. Sue Wootton also read her poetry in the square.
Lauren Sinner and Anita Stewart, two fabric artists from USA, were featured in the Wairarapa Times Age and Lauren was also interviewed by Lyn Freeman of RNZ.
Angela Han, a musician from USA performed at a music group set up by Probus.
2018
NZPS hosted 6 Open Studio Days in 2018 and offered activities at various schools across the region.
NZPS received the Trustpower Community Award - 2018 Regional Winner - Presented in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the Tararua District community (September 2018)
Block Party 2018 NZPS participated in the community event, running an interactive 'Wall of Words' (which originated with the artist Marie E. Potter) and a charity sale.
Wairarapa Art Review – NZ Pacific Studio sponsored a residency as a prize - Anna Rutherford (Masterton, NZ) was the winner of the NZ Pacific Studio Emerging Artist Award, and undertook a residency.
Paintings at Pūkaha 2018, People’s Choice Award – Sandie Fletcher NZ Pacific Studio sponsored this award, and Sandie undertook a residency. Several NZPS artists exhibited in this fundraising exhibition for the nature reserve.
Gottfried Lindauer Studio, Woodville NZPS supported the Friends of the Lindauer as they started up an artists’ residency with Pilsen University, Czech Republic. Artists Filip Trnka (2016 and Jana Hymlarova (2018) joined NZPS Open Studio Days.
WWI - Home Away from Home (April). This exhibition by 13th ANZAC Bridge Fellow, Rebecca Holden (Wellington NZ) explored Aotea, a convalescent home for NZ soldiers in Egypt; showing at Pūkaha Mt Bruce on ANZAC Day and at Aratoi. Holden led a workshop at Mauriceville School, and gave a talk at Wairarapa College.
Yoga / mindfulness sessions (June) led by music therapist Sarah Dill (USA/NZ), in conjunction with the writer Melanie Carter (USA/Egypt).
Songwriting and Performance (July) 3rd Masterton Fellow, Jhan Lindsay (Petone, NZ) Lindsay led songwriting workshops and performed a concert at Aratoi Museum.
From Poetry to Song Workshop (June) The 5th RAK Mason Fellow, Melanie Carter (USA/Egypt), a published poet and a writing instructor, co-facilitated a writing workshop at Masterton District Library.
Writing workshops (December) The 6th Ema Saiko Poetry Fellow, Canadian-Chinese Leanne Dunic, attended a writing session at Masterton District Library and led a writing workshop in Masterton.
Anne Yli-Ikkela and Aunis Ahonen from Finland ran visual art workshops at Opaki School and at King Street Artworks in October 2018.
2017
NZPS hosted several Open Studio Days in 2017
School visits in 2017 included sessions by painter Simona Luchian (Italy) who led a drawing workshop at Mauriceville School, based on birth, regeneration, and cycles; and a drawing and storytelling session at Opaki School by Emily Mui (USA).
Wairarapa Herb Society (March) visited Normandell Villa and had a guided tour of the house and gardens, with a presentation about the residency centre
Exhibition at Pūkaha (April - June) NZPS artists exhibited work in this annual fundraising exhibition for the nature reserve
Choirs NZPS resident Christine Yardley collaborated with “Loosely Woven” Community Choir from Australia (22 Members), Carterton Community Choir, Grafia and Wairarapa musicians to perform 5 free concerts entitled “Across the Ditch”.
German-Kiwi exchange Will Connor and Steffen Kreft, creators of the online ‘Life Swap” episodes, were filmed at Normandell, which was aired on ‘Neighbourhood’ on TV1.
Three community dinners in 2017 hosted various members of the community, Including Warren and Everlyne Chase and the whole Eketāhuna Te Reo Class.
Masterton & Tararua Mayors support art on 1893 Suffrage petition (January). The ceramic art ‘607’ by Justine Fletcher, Friends of Aratoi Fellow, celebrates the 607 women of the Wairarapa and South Tararua who signed the Third Suffrage Petition of 1893. The artwork was purchased by Mayors/Councils and is now on display in the respective Council premises.
Drawing on garments Workshop (January) Marian Hulshof (Netherlands) conducted a three-day 'Drawing on Garments' workshop at King Street Artworks.
Dance in the Park (March) movement/dance workshop in Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, led by artist-dancer-musician Caroline Wright (USA) in conjunction with King Street Artworks, supported by Masterton Creative Communities Scheme.
ANZAC performances, clay workshops & readings (April) Sculptor, art therapist and singer/performer, Christine Yardley (NZ/Australia), collaborated with local groups on a WWI musical. She ran clay poppy workshops at Mauriceville School and at NZPS; children placed poppies at ANZAC Memorial Bridge, Kaiparoro, at 2017 ANZAC Day service. Yardley also read aloud the story of her grandmother, Madeline Burton, widow of Arthur Braddick, who is remembered on the Bridge.
Writing Fiction about Wairarapa (May) Author Philomena van Rijswijk (Tasmania), 2nd Masterton District Fellow, interviewed locals about unique character of Wairarapa, writing short stories and later publishing in Southerly, of the University of Sydney. She gave a free presentation about ageing and creativity at Masterton District Library, and a free short story writing workshop at Featherston Booktown 2017.
2017 National Poetry Day (August) at Aratoi Museum - Leah Milanovic (Australia) read poetry and artists John Galan (USA) and Carly Mann (UK) exhibited and gave a short artist talk.
Plein air at Pūkaha John Galan (USA) set up his easel at Pūkaha and painted the scenery, delighting visitors to the centre.
Paeakau, an opera, opened the 2017 Kokomai Creative Festival (October) The libretto was written by 2016 Friends of Aratoi Fellow, Michelle Hawkins.
Afternoon with Dame Anne Salmond and author Damien Wilkins (October) We hosted NZPS Patron Dame Anne Salmond and her husband Jeremy who is a heritage architect, and Director of the Institute of Modern Letters VUW, Damien Wilkins and his wife for a tour of NZPS.
Music from Argentina (October) Singer-songwriter Aldo Pinelli (Argentina) performed in four concerts – at Kokomai Creative Festival 2017, BLOCK PARTY 2017 at Aratoi Museum, a house concert, and a concert at the (former) Lake House Café. He also visited the Argentinian Embassy, performed for 100 students at Opaki School, and taught students one of his compositions in Spanish - singing in a foreign language was a new experience for the children.
Playwriting in English, Irish, and Te Reo Māori. For several months, theatre artist Sian ni Mhuiri (NZ/Ireland), 4th RAK Mason Writing Fellow, worked on a script for a new tri-lingual play, exploring the history, culture and languages of her two home countries for which she interviewed members of the public. She also initiated collaborations with several groups, gave readings and led drama workshops at Makoura College, Rathkeale College (x2), Tararua College (x2) and Eketāhuna Youth Group.
Te Ahua o Wairarapa – poetry & visuals. Poet, printmaker, letterpress printer, artist and designer, Makyla Curtis (Auckland, NZ), 5th Ema Saiko Poetry Fellow, worked on a collection of poetic and visual explorations of the Wairarapa. The booklets were gifted to the NZ Electronic Poetry Centre, University of Auckland. Curtis gave a reading and collaborated with theatre artist Sian ni Mhuiri; they were featured on RNZ.
Christmas 2017 for original Burton Family Descendants (15 guests) of the original family who built Normandell Villa had their 2017 Xmas party at the homestead.
2016
ART IS A LIVING THING 2 DEC 2016 - 15 JAN 2017 - An international exhibition of 100 NZPS residents to mark the 15th anniversary. Opera, Poetry. Live Music. Theatre. Film. Sound Installation. 2D and 3D art at Aratoi Museum. Supported by Trust House.
ARATOI MUSEUM / GLADSTONE PUB / GRAFIA / TIN HUT/ VENTANA CREATIVE COLLECTIVE - Musician-in-residence Sarah Dill performed around the Wairarapa.
SCHOOL VISITS - in 2016, NZPS residents led activities with more than 500 primary, intermediate and secondary school students around the Wairarapa, from Eketāhuna to Gladstone.
EKETĀHUNA YOUTH CLUB - Emerging Artist Fellow 2016 Nick Davies worked with the Club for two sessions.
NO SCIENCE TO GOODBYE - 2016 R.A.K. Mason Fellow Annabel Wilson premiered excerpts of her play at Mount Bruce Community Hall.
WE CAN GO ANYWHERE - 1st October 2016 - A workshop with youth, starting with a session at Aratoi Museum led by Dame Robin White, and then at King Street Artworks, led by Sarah Dill, Mark Manning, Madeleine Slavick and Annabel Wilson. Supported by Masterton Arts Fund and Masterton Creative Communities Scheme.
POETRY WORKSHOP WITH ALAN JEFFERIES. September 2016. Workshop in the Clockmaker's Loft at NZPS.
WRITING WORKSHOP WITH HARRY RICKETTS. August 2016. All day workshop - with adults - in the Clockmaker's Loft at NZPS. Supported by Masterton Arts Fund.
15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - 19 JUNE 2016 - To celebrate the 15th anniversary of NZPS, we welcomed many relatives of the Burton family, original residents of Normandell. One relative brought a beautiful carriage clock made by Christopher Burton, Sr. Another relative brought a painting by Clelia Burton. Another told a story of the clock in Blenheim, and yet another of walking across the paddock to 'Grandma's House'. Artists in residence: NZPS Founder, Kay Flavell, Ong Si Hui, Singapore; Adam Von Penfold, Christchurch; and Annabel Wilson, Wanaka/Wellington.
POEMS ON THE VINE - 5 June 2016 - Two of the three featured poets have been NZPS residents: Lynley Edmeades (2009) and Ya-wen Ho (2016). They were joined by Ross Ireland. A Yarns in Barns event at Gladstone Vineyard.
TALES FROM THE BUSH - 29 May 2016 - stories of the northern Wairarapa as told by Kay Flavell, Gareth Winter and others - an open mic! A Yarns in Barns event at NZPS.
PUKAHA ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION - April - June 2016 - Three artists-in-residence - Tina Butterfield, Cat Blanchet, and Stefanie Smith - contributed to this annual exhibition to support Pūkaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre.
HUMILITAS - PAINTINGS BY TINA BUTTERFIELD - 15 May - 15 June 2016. Exhibition of new work at Heart of Arts, 47 High Street N, Carterton.
PROJECT 607 -- NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN 17 April - 15 May 2016 - To mark the 120th anniversary of the NCW, 2014 NZPS Friends of Aratoi Fellow Justine Fletcher exhibited some of the 607 pendants that she & the Wairarapa community made to honour the 607 women from the Wairarapa who helped give NZ women the right to vote. Heart of Arts in Carterton.
RUAMAHANGA RIVER MUSIC CLUB - 14 April 2016 - featured NZPS resident Gerard Harris, straight from performances in Wellington & Dunedin.
BRING YOUR OWN STORY - BYO STORY, on World Storytelling Day, 20 March 2016, Education Centre, Masterton. An event for adults facilitated by the inaugural NZPS Masterton Fellow, Gaye Sutton. Venue sponsorship by Wairarapa REAP.
LINDAUER STUDIO INAUGURAL ART EXHIBITION, 19-20 March 2016, art by Clelia Burton (1879-1952) who grew up in Normandell., Gottfried Lindauer (1839-1926), Filip Trnka, and other residents of the Tararua. Public Stand, Racecourse, Woodville.
OPEN STUDIO DAYS - 7 February & 20 March 2016 - the February session was co-hosted with the writers' series Wairarapa Word and featured presentations by Yukari Nikawa (Japan), Cat Blanchet (Canada), Stefanie Smith (Canada) and Hillary Bassett-Ross (USA); the March event featured illustrator Betsy McKimm, Canada / painter Laurence O'Toole, Ireland / storyteller Gaye Sutton, NZ / and writer Brandy Scott, NZ.
3RD ANNUAL SHOW AT PŪKAHA MOUNT BRUCE March 25 - June 25 2016 - Several NZPS artists will be contributing art as a way to support the National Wildlife Centre that is our neighbour.
2016 FRINGE FESTIVAL AWARDS - 6 March 2016 - NZPS presented an award of a residency to artist Rose Kirkup.
FRIENDS OF ARATOI ART AWARDS - 28 Feb 2016 - NZPS presented an award to Wairarapa artist Andree deLatour.
12 NIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS - 17 December 2015 - Masterton Town Square - Writers Brandy Scott and Melanie Carter read their work, and Michele Bachmann and Phil Kuffer, musicians from the Swiss band Anshelle, performed at this free event.
WAI ART - 7 December 2015 - Artist-in-residence Kirsty Lillico met with members of the Wai Art Club in their last meeting of the year. Kirsty's residency was supported through a grant from the Masterton District Creative Communities Scheme.
WAIRARAPA BOOK FAIR - 6 December 2015 - Books by NZPS writers-in-residence were featured at this fair, and NZPS sold publications about the area - "Rainbows over Mauriceville" and the "Mount Bruce Community Hall". Carterton Events Centre.
CHINESE INK PAINTING WORKSHOP - 19 November 2015 - Artist-in-residence Zheng Danyi led a workshop on calligraphy and painting with ink. Attended by children and adults. Coordinated with the Art Club, a project of the Village Art Shop in Greytown.
VISION / MEMORY | WALL OF WORDS - Oct-Dec 2015 - Marie E. Potter, 2015 Friends of Aratoi Fellow - Four workshops with about 100 people were held to collect thoughts (in words) on the Wairarapa, followed by installations of these words on the windows of Aratoi Museum, Entice Cafe, Masterton i-SITE, King Street Artworks and Masterton Intermediate School. Part of the 2015 Kokomai Creative Festival and supported by Masterton District Creative Communities Scheme.
SCHOOL VISITS In the last two months of 2015, two sessions were held -- free of charge -- with intermediate school students. Marie Potter led a workshop with language, and Sunshine Herbert led a drawing workshop.
WRITING TO HISTORY | Connah Podmore, 2015 Friends of ANZAC Bridge Fellow - collection of postcards written by members of the community on peace, war and ANZAC issues, followed by exhibitions at Pūkaha Mount Bruce, Tararua College, and Aratoi Museum. April - Oct 2015.