During Matariki 2019 Lake House Arts has a number of wonderful events to celebrate the season, including welcoming back live wood sculpture. Master carver Natanahira Pona will run a creative showcase 'Toi Roto Whakairo' (Art of the Lake Carving) from the end of June to 20 July. Whakairo is the Māori art of carving in wood, stone or bone. Wood was traditionally formed into houses, fence poles, containers, taiaha, waka and tool handles.

Lake House Arts has long been a supporter of wood carving, running a number of symposiums since opening as an arts centre. Natanahira Pona has taken part in wood carving showcases at Lake House Arts since the first one in 2001. Natanahira describes himself as “in the service of his culture from the day he was born”. He has extensive knowledge in the use of tools and materials, as well as techniques. He has a focus on extending his knowledge through teaching and has taught within the private sector and in schools.

Guest artists Lawrence Makoare, Bill Rata Smith and Andy Turner will join Natanahira to create interactive carvings themed around the environment of a lake. The artists will be working on-site and we welcome the public to watch them carve. There will even be opportunities for the public to try carving a small panel under the supervision of Natanahira, who will also teach a carving workshop from July.  All works created by the artists will become features around the grounds at Lake House for friends and whānau to enjoy during Matariki and beyond.

While the grounds at Lake House Arts become the hub for wood carving, the main gallery will host a very special exhibition. Mixed media painter and artist Mere Clifford is the guest curator for 'Pou Toko Manawa' (Heart of the House). More than 50 invited artists and members of the Lake House community have created unique pou panels which honour their family and history. This exhibition is inspired by poupou, the wall panels located underneath the veranda of a Māori wharenui (meeting house). Poupou are generally built to represent the spiritual connection between the tribe and its ancestors and thus each panel is carved with emblems of the tōhunga whakairo (carver's) particular lineage.

From 8-19 July, Lake House also runs school holiday programmes in which kids can learn more about and celebrate Matariki in fun, hands-on art classes.

Toi Roto Whakairo - Art of the Lake Carving, 30 June - 20 July

Pou Toko Manawa - Heart of the House, 23 June - 6 July

Matariki School Holiday Programme 8 - 19 July

More information at www.lakehousearts.org.nz

 

Try Something New At Lake House

Lake House Arts is delighted to offer a short course in watercolour painting. This is an adult class and is the ideal way to have a go at using this versatile medium. Total beginners are welcome. Tutor Susannah MacDonald is a widely exhibited artist and creative teacher, with many years' experience in bringing out people's artistic side. This four-week course allows students to explore the subtleties and processes of watercolour and become confident with a fascinating art form.

For the first time, Lake House is also offering trial classes for kids. If you are wondering which art class would be best suited to your child in term 3, then why not 'Trial A Class'? There are four classes to choose from; Clay Modelling, Craft, Painting, or Drawing or you can have at go at all four with the four-class special offer. The 'Trial A Class' classes run from 25 June to 4 July at 4pm - 5.30pm. For more details or to book a class visit www.lakehousearts.org.nz

Both kids' and Adult Term 3 classes will be available to book through the Lake House Arts website from the middle of June.

 

Lake House Café

Why not set up your next breakfast meeting at Lake House Café? Lake House is ideally located just over the motorway bridge with on-site parking for visitors. Avoid rush hour traffic and start your working day in a peaceful setting with great food and coffee. As well as the café, Lake House has a number of private spaces available for hire for meetings or workshops. The Lake House Café can provide any kind of delicious food and personalised catering for your booking.

More info at www.lakehousearts.org.nz

Lake House Café is open: Tue - Fri: 8am - 4pm; Sat - Mon: 8:30am - 3pm

Enquiries and bookings on 09 486 4877