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What's On in the arts in Central Otago - July

Toward the end of June, Year 7 and 8 pupils from primary schools in Clyde, Alexandra, Omakau and Poolburn took part in a writer’s festival, organised by teachers and pupils from Alexandra Primary School. Pupils engaged with local writers at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery to learn about screen writing, editing, comic writing, entering short story competitions and much more. Workstations were set-up within the gallery and museum spaces and participants had the additional bonus of working amongst the exhibitions on show at Central Stories. These included Dick Frizzell's 'Bark' as well as the Central Otago 'Nightscapes Photography Exhibition'.

In June, to mark World Environment Day, representatives of the Arts Trust, Central Otago Reap and Central Stories joined forces to present an exhibition of photographic images focusing on the night skies of the central South Island. The global theme for World Environment Day 2019 was Air Pollution. The central South Island is renowned for some of the clearest night skies in the world, but this is being challenged by increasing air pollution particularly in the winter months. Through the photographic images produced by Central Otago artists, the exhibition celebrated what we do have, whilst encouraging conversations about what could be if this growing environmental concern isn't addressed. The opportunity to work collaboratively, within the realms of art and science, was a succesful means by which to engage a wider community audience and we look forward to further exploring this concept in the future.

Plans are underway for this year’s National Poetry Day celebrations. 'Take a Risk, Make a Poem' will offer the people of Central Otago an energizing week of poetry ïmprovisation and performance workshops and the opportunity to create a giant community poem. Works by established poets, song writers and locals will be posted throughout town and regular reading will be aired on Radio Central. Readings will be held at Central Stories on National Poetry Day which falls on Friday, August 23rd this year. Here, the public will be invited to read their own or their favourite poem, alongside our most celebrated local authors - Brian Turner, Jillian Sullivan, Michael Harlow, Mike Riddell and Kyle Mewburn. Everyone will be welcome to come along for a relaxed, convivial celebration of the written word. This will be a community event for all ages and abilities. 

The Hullabaloo Winter Show will be on display from the 14th July in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. In this exhibition, Hullabaloo artists respond to the special aesthetic of the Nevis Valley - the dramatically stark and barren landscape where Maori, pastoralists, miners and others lived in a climate of extremes.  If you haven't had a chance to see works by some of the new collective members this would be a great opportunity to do so. 

Congratulations to Central Otago photographer, Janyne Fletcher who has won the 2019 New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography (NZIPP), New Zealand Landscape Photographer of the Year. These annual awards, open to both New Zealand and International professional photographers, celebrate the innovation and excellence of professional photography today, providing a platform for recognition within the wider photographic community and with the general public. Janyne brings the NZIPP Iris Award trophy home to the Maniototo. Take a look at some of Janyne's beautiful works online at www.janynefletchershop.co.nz or in her Ranfurly Gallery.

Finally, the countdown is on to get your entries into the 2019 Arts Gold Awards hosted at Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery in Central Otago, entries close on the 1st August. Plans are underway for the Arts Gold Awards Evening held on the 27th September (Blossom Festival weekend) and will be attended by some prominent New Zealand identities. For further information, entry forms and term and conditions visit www.artsgold.co.nz, email; enquiries@centralstories.com or call; (03)448 6230.

Have a happy July!