We delight in having a vibrant arts and creative sector on the Shore. This month in Channel Mag we celebrate the people and organisations doing great work in the arts and related areas, adding a great deal to the community. In this feature we talk to a handful of creative leaders in our community about the challenges of the past 16 months and the plans they have for the future.
Clint Taniguchi is the General Manager of Mairangi Arts Centre (MAC), a community based art centre in Mairangi Bay. The centre is one of the oldest and largest art centres in Auckland, offering art classes for all ages, a diverse annual exhibition programme and community initiatives. It’s the perfect place for locals to learn new skills and try their hand at a new creative endeavour like painting, ceramics and etching, to name just a few of the centre’s offerings. Clint talked to Channel Mag about life at the centre over the past year, how they’ve pivoted and where his inspiration comes from.
Channel Magazine: What have the challenges been in these Covid times of the past 16 months?
Clint Taniguchi: The uncertainty of alert level changes were challenging, as well as the complexity that resulted with the disruptions to our programmes. That’s the tip of the iceberg.
CM: It’s a buzz word, but have you needed to pivot? If so, how have you done this?
CT: During the initial lockdown, we created an online art class programme to keep our students connected with their tutors from home. Once alert levels lowered however we have been fortunate to have our community eager to return back to the studios and reschedule their exhibitions.
CM: What are the key initiatives that are consuming your creative juices at the moment?
CT: For this year’s Auckland Matariki Festival, we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Hui Ngātahi: Coming Together, is a collaborative exhibition with partnering organisations as we gather to reflect. We have also just released a call for entries in our premier juried exhibition, Hibiscus and Bays Arts Awards, coming in November.
CM: Clint, tell us why you are excited about for the next year.
CT: The silver lining of the Covid pandemic was the support that came through from our community in positive new ways. I look forward to seeing how these new possibilities of relating to one another can be developed and integrated into our daily lives.
CM: Where do you get your inspiration and is there someone or something that inspires you at the moment?
CT: I had the privilege to host a morning tea with MAC Founding Members. They shared their stories of how it took more than a decade to manifest the art centre from their lightbulb moment. The establishment of MAC was achieved through the passion, generosity and enthusiasm of volunteers with a shared vision.
CM: In my next life I am going to come back as…
CT: … an orca!
For more on Mairangi Arts Centre (MAC), take a look at www.mairangiarts.co.nz
Grae Burton is the Curator and Operations Manager at Lake House Arts, a centre that’s been open for over two decades and is home to over 25 resident artists and arts/culture organisations. Hundreds of members from the local community take part in exhibitions and events put on by Lake House Arts where an array of classes and holiday programmes are on offer. Grae gives Channel Magazine an inside look into the centre over the last year and what’s on offer for locals looking to get creative!
Channel Magazine: Tell us about what you do in the creative and arts space?
Grae Burton: We provide our vibrant and diverse communities with an accessible heritage facility where arts and culture can flourish.
CM: What have the challenges been in these Covid times of the past 16 months?
GB: Re-establishing. Rescheduling. Reconnecting.
CM: It’s a buzz word, but have you needed to pivot? If so, how have you done this?
GB: Through online learning and galleries and connecting with our community on the socials.
CM: What are the key initiatives that are consuming your creative juices at the moment?
GB: Because Lake House Arts is almost at capacity we are collaborating with more spaces to take programmes out into the community. This may be more exhibitions in more spaces, and more classes/outreach.
CM: Grae, tell us why you are excited about the year ahead?
GB: More members of more communities want to be a part of the Lake House whanau. We have exciting new studio developments in the works and are working closely with our neighbours to make more art possible.
CM: Where do you get your inspiration and is there someone or
something that inspires you at the moment?
GB: All the wonderful members of our Lake House Arts whanau inspire me every day to try to provide more access, and deliver the best arts programmes we can.
CM: Complete the following… In my next life I am going to come back as…
GB: … a billionaire art supporter!
For information on classes, check out www.lakehousearts.org.nz
Matthew Goldsworthy is the CEO and founder of Youth Arts New Zealand, a creative social enterprise that connects, showcases and develops the next generation of creative New Zealanders. He’s always had a love of creativity and the arts and his dream is to have the next generation of young people growing up with confidence in their abilities, and freedom to make their ideas and creative ventures a reality. Matthew received the 2018 North Harbour Club AIMES Emerging Talent award for his work with Youth Arts New Zealand, and has had his original music used in several commercial projects. He works closely with various stakeholders in New Zealand’s creative industries especially to support and look after young artists. He talks to Channel Magazine this month about Youth Arts New Zealand, remaining optimistic during challenging Covid times and his excitement for the year ahead.
Channel Magazine: Tell us about what you do in the creative and arts space?
Matthew Goldsworthy: I’m the CEO and founder of Youth Arts New Zealand, a creative social enterprise that connects, showcases and develops the next generation of creative New Zealanders. I also sit on the board of Play It Strange Trust and advise various organisations in the creative sector. I’m a musician at heart and love to play/compose music when possible!
CM: What have the challenges been in these Covid times of the past 16 months?
MG: In all honesty, I think the biggest challenge has been looking after my own mental wellbeing and trying to remain optimistic amidst a fairly dismal outlook. It’s all about perspective though, I’m so grateful to be living here in Aotearoa.
CM: It’s a buzz word, but have you needed to pivot? If so, how have you done this?
MG: I feel like I’ve ‘learned’ more than ‘pivoted’! I haven’t changed much in my day-to-day life, as I feel like our vision/kaupapa at YANZ has remained stable although we have added additional components to our programmes and initiatives to ensure they are able to be delivered in different capacities.
CM: What are the key initiatives that are consuming your creative juices at the moment?
MG: At YANZ, we’re currently building a platform that pairs young creatives with paid work opportunities – something which is taking up a lot of creative energy. I’m also working on a podcast collaboration and should hopefully be releasing my first EP later this year (although I’ve been saying this for the last four years, so don’t hold your breath!).
CM: Matthew, tell us why you are excited about the year ahead?
MG: The world is opening back up, and I’m so excited to travel again when it’s safe to do so! I’m also very excited about our mahi at YANZ; we have a bunch of exciting projects in the works to further support our creative youth!
CM: Where do you get your inspiration and is there someone or something that inspires you at the moment?
MG: I count myself pretty lucky as I am constantly inspired by our team and young people through working with YANZ. From a musical perspective, I’m inspired by lots of film composers and modern classical artists like Hans Zimmer, Yann Tiersen, Ólafur Arnalds and Ludovico Einaudi.
CM: In my next life I am going to come back as…
MG: … a musician to finally complete my EP!
To find out more about Youth Arts New Zealand, go to www.youtharts.co.nz
Linda and Mike Geers are the proud owners of Art by the Sea Gallery located on The Promenade, Hurstmere Road in Takapuna. The gallery showcases the creative works of New Zealand artists and Linda and Mike are regular curators of charity events too, having previously supported The Blind Foundation NZ, War Child UK, Amnesty International and Mike King’s Key to Life Trust. Channel Magazine put a few questions to the Geers about their gallery, operating in 2020, moving into their new Hurstmere Road location and what’s next!
Channel Magazine: Tell us about what you do in the creative and arts space?
Linda and Mike Geers: We have been operating Art by the Sea Gallery since 2002, exhibiting the work of emerging and established New Zealand-based artists. We aim to provide a space for people to find joy and inspiration through the shared experience of appreciating artwork and to help customers find pieces that bring this experience into their own environment.
CM: What have the challenges been in these Covid times of the past 16 months?
L&MG: Covid lockdowns placed physical limitations on our gallery as we, along with the rest of Aotearoa, were unable to go about our usual face-to-face interactions, and we had to close the physical gallery space. A silver lining of this renaissance period has been that many of our artists took this time of enforced curtailment as an opportunity to expand their creative consciousness, resulting in some stunning works of art.
CM: It’s a buzz word, but have you needed to pivot? If so, how have you done this?
L&MG: One of the challenges we faced recently was the need to move premises due to significant structural restoration of the building that we had occupied for 29 years. Fortunately, a chance referral resulted in us finding the space that we are now in and it has proven to be a perfect new location for Art by the Sea.
CM: What are the key initiatives that are consuming your creative juices at the moment?
L&MG: Moving into our new Hurstmere Road gallery has been the biggest project this year. It was a huge change to enter not only a new building but also a new community. However the process has been unequivocally rewarding. We’ve enjoyed meeting a lot of North Shore city locals as well as seeing familiar faces from the Devonport community and further afield.
CM: Tell us why you are excited about the year ahead?
L&MG: We are really excited about the rich and diverse range of works that will be on display as our exhibition calendar unfolds throughout the year. This will include both established and emerging artists – some of the works will never have been seen in public before.
CM: Where do you get your inspiration and is there someone or something that inspires you at the moment?
L&MG: We are regularly inspired by the day-to-day stories that we encounter from artists and appreciators alike. Everyone who enters the gallery brings their own experiences and perceptions to the work they view, and hearing the ways in which our visitors interpret artworks differently is a continual source of inspiration.
CM: In my next live’s we are going to come back as…
L&MG: Linda …a bird. Mike: …a rākau (tree).
Visit Linda and Mike at The Promenade, 162 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna (near the Bruce Mason Centre). Email: art@artbythesea.co.nz
NZ Sculpture OnShore is New Zealand’s largest outdoor sculpture exhibition and Sally Lush is curator of the event happening in October/November this year. NZ Sculpture OnShore was originally held in a private garden in Takapuna in 1996 but the event grew so much in popularity that in 2004 it was relocated to Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve, Narrowneck, Devonport. The exhibition includes stand-alone sculptures, domestic and small-scaled works, ephemeral projects, light and sound art works, process art and many site-specific installations. All of the works will be for sale and proceeds are donated to Women’s Refuge. This is the charity’s largest fundraising event. To date, close to $2 million has been donated to help Women’s Refuge support the victims of domestic violence in New Zealand. Sally talks to Channel Magazine about curating the iconic event, pivoting in 2020 and why NZ Sculpture OnShore is back and better than ever in 2021.
Channel Magazine: Tell us about what you do in the creative and arts space?
Sally Lush: I am the curator for New Zealand Sculpture OnShore, an exhibition of sculpture which is also the largest fundraising event for Women’s Refuge NZ. The stunning cliff top site at Fort Takapuna, O Peretu, with the backdrop of Rangitoto Island and the Hauraki Gulf lends itself perfectly to the staging of the country’s largest exhibition of contemporary sculpture.
CM: What have the challenges been in these Covid times of the past 16 months?
SL: This event was due to be held in November 2020 but due to the uncertainty about large events in this new Covid era the difficult decision was made in April 2020 to cancel the event and reschedule when there was more certainty about the situation.
CM: It’s a buzz word, but have you needed to pivot? If so, how have you done this?
SL: After the cancellation of my curating contract during level four lockdown, I decided to set up a small flower farm and floristry enterprise on my lifestyle block near Kaukapakapa which has kept me busy.
CM: What are the key initiatives that are consuming your creative juices at the moment?
SL: I’m working with around 85 inspiring artists to bring their sculptures to fruition for the event and I am tending my flower garden and creating gorgeous, romantic country inspired bouquets – Lushess-Flowers by Sally Lush!
CM: Sally, tell us why you are excited about the year ahead?
SL: I’m excited to see the joy on the faces of the visitors to the exhibition as they explore the amazing sculptures on site and it will be fantastic to see the vision and hard work of the amazingly dedicated team at NZ Sculpture OnShore come to fruition.
CM: Where do you get your inspiration and is there someone or something that inspires you at the moment?
SL: Ideas just seem to pop into my head. Unfortunately I don’t have the time or energy to pursue all of them! With my flower farming venture I am inspired by the amazing group of small flower farmers, in particular Christy Ralphs from Nourish Gardens on Waiheke who are all trying to encourage local people to support locally grown, sustainable flower production.
CM: In my next life I am going to come back as…
SL: … a cat!
For more information on NZ Sculpture OnShore 2021 (starts October 30th), go to www.nzsculptureonshore.co.nz
Devonport local Tony McNeight is an artist and art teacher specialising in travel sketching. He teaches at Erin Hill Sketching located in Devonport. Tony is also responsible for projects such as The Giant Poppy Art Project where participants collectively made the biggest poppy in the world consisting of 59,000 red metal petals placed on the ground of the Auckland Domain by New Zealanders with personal messages. This project honoured 59,000 men and women who gave their lives for our freedom and democracy. The Giant Poppy remains one of the biggest ‘participatory’ art projects undertaken by the New Zealand public. For the sketching classes, Tony runs an eight week, three hour class where each week he takes you through a programme of foundation skills to become a passionate travel sketcher. Tony talks to Channel Magazine about the challenges of doing art classes over the last year during Covid-19, the inspiration his students bring him and why he wants to come back as a never-ending sketch pad in his next life!
Channel Magazine: Tell us about what you do in the creative and arts space?
Tony McNeight: I run and teach eight week travel sketching classes on the Shore.
CM: What have the challenges been in these Covid times of the past 16 months?
TM: The biggest challenge with Covid was not being able to ‘physically’ have classes. My form of teaching relies very much on one-on-one within small classes.
CM: It’s a buzz word, but have you needed to pivot? If so, how have you done this?
TM: My ‘pivot’ came as a result of Covid where I suddenly needed to rethink pro-actively my whole strategy around delivering my teaching. Fortunately prior to Covid, I had produced comprehensive online classes. Also I got my head around delivering classes on Zoom which was an adequate ‘filler’ until physical classes resumed.
CM: What are the key initiatives that are consuming your creative juices at the moment?
TM: Apart from finishing the sketch term, next week I am taking a travel sketch tour to the South Island. I am also half way through design and illustration of my eighth children’s book for a New Zealand client. My career in advertising as a creative has kept a few loyal clients who I do creative and strategic work for, so I’m never idle.
CM: Tony, tell us why you are excited about the year ahead?
TM: I am excited about my new enrolments for term three and then four, sharing the joy of sketching with them.
CM: Where do you get your inspiration and is there someone or something that inspires you at the moment?
TM: My inspiration comes from my students. They never fail to surprise and delight me with the work they produce.The Van Gogh show was inspirational, as well. I like being a ‘sponge’ for all creative happenings out there…
CM: In my next life I am going to come back as…
TM: …a never-ending sketch pen that keeps flowing from one inspirational journey to the next.
Thanks Tony, for more information on Tony’s classes visit www.erinhillsketching.co.nz
Amy Saunders is the General Manager of Depot Artspace in Devonport, a community hub with gallery spaces, a recording studio and programmes for creatives. Amy’s career in the arts sector spans 20 years and she’s worked in New Zealand, the UK and internationally. Before Depot Artspace, Amy worked for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which is the largest arts festival and marketplace in the world and she was Senior International Adviser at Creative New Zealand for five years before returning to Edinburgh. Amy talks to Channel Magazine about her new role at Depot Artspace, her insights into the COVID impacted creative sector in places like the UK, embracing technology and helping creatives follow their dreams.
Channel Magazine: Tell us about what you do in the creative and arts space?
Amy Saunders: I’ve recently taken over as the General Manager at the Depot Artspace which is a unique and special creative community hub in Devonport. The Depot was set up 25 years ago and is home to two beautiful gallery spaces, a fantastic recording studio and we run a suite of professional development programmes for creatives.
CM: What have the challenges been in these Covid times of the past 16 months?
AS: The challenges for creatives in New Zealand have been significantly minimised compared to what our international colleagues and counterparts are experiencing. The creative sector has been severely impacted in the UK where I returned from at the beginning of the year, but that’s not to say there’s been no impact here. I think the biggest challenge is for us all to stay resilient and positive in times of change and uncertainty.
CM: It’s a buzz word, but have you needed to pivot? If so, how have you done this?
AS: I think creatives pivot all the time, we’re not generally linear thinkers, but prefer to be nimble and flexible in what we do and how we do it. Like most, I’ve had to learn to embrace digital technology and accept it is as a necessary tool to stay connected, especially to international colleagues, friends and family. But you can’t beat face to face.
CM: What are the key initiatives that are consuming your creative juices at the moment?
AS: The Depot is one of three providers in Auckland currently running a two year creative career programme to help creatives develop the business skills they need to ensure a sustainable creative career. It’s a fantastic programme that offers a series of workshops, teaches creatives how to develop a business plan, social media and marketing plan and helps them navigate how to attract funding and investment, grow networks and access industry mentors. It’s been a pleasure to sit in on some of the workshops and feel the creative energy in the room and listen to people’s creative dreams.
CM: Amy, tell us why you are excited about the year ahead?
AS: I think this is a really exciting time for the creative sector, there’s a lot of focus and interest on how to support creatives right now. New Zealand is full of small to medium sized businesses that often rely on creative thinking and problem solving and the more we can invest in encouraging people to follow their creativity the more interesting society will. I think people are becoming less interested in working Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and more interested in being involved in projects they really care about and working with great people, and I think this is the kind of diverse and energetic society I would like to be part of and support.
CM: Where do you get your inspiration and is there someone or something that inspires you at the moment?
AS: I think I get my inspiration from the desire to make positive change. I see no reason for people not to follow their dreams. I believe that the more we can encourage open minded, open hearted interactions the more honest and productive life and society can be.
CM: In my next life I am going to come back as…
AS: … A cat, and sleep all day and not feel guilty about all the things I’ve not done!
Thanks Amy. For more on what Depot Artspace has to offer, go to www.depotartspace.co.nz
