art & about with naomi mccleary
West Coast Treasure!
The West Coast Gallery in Piha: ‘the little engine that could’.
Multimedia artist Eliza Donald has taken on the role of gallery assistant.
I often think of the West Coast Gallery as ‘the little engine that could’. It has both survived and thrived through challenging times – not the least being our past Covid year. But it has all the constituents for longevity; strong local support, both community and artists, great ‘arts nous’ and it sticks to its knitting. Too many metaphors I know, but I really get the joy that it brings to West Coast residents and the many thousands of visitors that are drawn to the magnificent landscape, black sands and rolling surf. The gallery is perfectly positioned to catch the endless trail of summer visitors to Piha – and the work on display includes everything from craft to fine art and the quality ranges from good to exceptional. This is reflected in the quite remarkable sales figures that the gallery achieves; significantly contributing to the arts economy of the area – two and a half million dollars in gross sales over its 21 year history. It’s a potent mix; visitors in a relaxed mood and desirable artworks asking for a home. There’s a new face at the gallery. Piha local Eliza Donald has recently taken on the role of gallery
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assistant. Eliza is a multimedia artist with a focus on applied art. London-born, she moved to Aotearoa at a young age where she was raised and educated. There were several years abroad in both Australia and widerEurope where she worked as an art educator as well as in theatre and television. Eliza has exhibited locally and internationally in Zurich, London and Barcelona. She paints and sculpts from a studio at the Corban Estate Arts Centre and works from time to time redesigning children’s playgrounds and parks, drawing on the arts, cultural history and biodiversity; enhancing literacy, maths and science in the natural environment. Eliza comes from a family rich in the arts and sciences. Her mother is highly regarded South Island ceramic artist Gennie de Lange and in her childhood she was exposed to many influential creatives; Barry Brickell and other amazing potters, silversmith Kobi Bossard, poet Micheal Harlow and composer Kit Powell. Her years at Dunedin Polytechnic brought her into contact with the work of artists Jeffrey Harris and Ralph Hotere. Eliza will bring that wide background to her work at the gallery. It’s so often the conversations that visitors have with assistants when looking at artwork that deepens their experience and understanding of the artist’s intent. Stop Press: Over the years, the passionate band of West Coast Gallery trustees and supporters have designed and delivered many arts events and courses; but right now the trust has finally got the lease of the old school house next to the gallery, which means they have a home for classes and community gigs. I can testify to the tenacity and patience it will have taken to get this through Council. They have been lobbying for the school house since 2003 – originally with the Department of Education, then West Auckland intermediate schools, then Council and the Waitākere Ranges Local Board. My experience is that the support of this board is often a clincher; the elected members really understand, and are passionate about, the arts and heritage. There will be a Celebration and Community Day on Sunday, June 13, 12-3pm. All welcome.
Shadbolt House
Another story of tenacity! Maurice Shadbolt’s house was purchased by Waitākere City Council in 2004. There were a couple of diversions which delayed the establishment of a writers’ residency there; something
Linda Cooper Linda Cooper
Councillor for Waitākere Councillor for Waitākere Please feel free to
Please feel free to contact me with contact me with issuesissues or ideas or ideas
021 629 533
021 629 533 linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz linda.cooper@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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The Fringe NOVEMBER JUNE 2021 2020
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