From the 13-15th September 2024, Risingholme played host to an exhibition showcasing tutor and learner works. Drawing on artworks created across several creative disciplines like pottery, patchwork, visual arts, Zentangle, and woodwork, the exhibition brought together 52 exhibitors and just under 100 works for one weekend only.
In her opening remarks, Director Lynda Megson noted that the works on show “represent every artist’s personal learning journey and reflect the strong sense of community they have found through their courses at Risingholme”.
This was certainly the case as many of the artists enjoyed the opportunity to show their work to their friends, whanau, and wider public as well as “seeing all the amazing work done by people in other classes”.
Some of the works on display
Bringing a vision to life
The idea to create an exhibition came at the beginning of the year when a team of Risingholme staff and tutors formed an Exhibition Team that would meet regularly to help turn the vision into a reality. As they noted in their catalogue essay, “creativity can come in many forms, and this special exhibition not only marks a significant milestone in Risingholme’s history but shines a light on the vibrant and varied nature of community arts right now”.
The diversity of art and craft courses at Risingholme meant that there was the challenge of making sure there was a balance struck between representing the diversity of artistic strokes and creating a cohesive exhibition that did justice to each artist and their work.
To achieve this, the Exhibition Team came up with the theme of “our place of creativity and leaning” which acted as a helpful prompt for many artists. Some interpreted this in their work through a reference to the natural and built environment around Risingholme, others focussed on the specific skills and media they had learned in their courses, and some chose of reflect on how Risingholme had been a place of personal and creative growth, giving them the space, time, and support to explore new ideas and try new things.
A selection of works from the exhibition
The result was a professional and spirited showcase of different media and creative ideas that highlighted each artist’s individual creative flair.
For many artists this was their first time exhibiting, and with that came the opportunity to gain insight into the process of exhibition making – from making the initial submission, writing artist statements, to install/deinstall, and selling their work. “It can be a little intimidating to not only publicly exhibit your work but also put a price on it” said Megson, “but we were happy that we could provide some tangible support to our artists”.
Some of the artists worked alongside the Exhibition Team assisting them with install and deinstall
Risingholme purchased two works from the exhibition to be added to their art collection. “It felt like a fitting gesture given the significance of this year, and we were thrilled with how the selected works reflected the idea of Risingholme as a place of learning” she said. The two works were Vicky Eljindi’s Looking up Through the Trees, and Bele Malik’s Risingholme Park I.
In addition to taking in all the art, visitors could vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award. Tony Bird took out the top award with his evocative painting of the Rakaia River Mouth. In second was Percival Apolinario with his watercolour titled Somewhere Local and rounding off the top three was Vicky Eljindi’s Looking Up Through the Trees.
A night to remember
The opening event was a bustling affair when all those involved got to see their fine work displayed and were able to share it with their loved ones. One of the exhibiting artists Tony Bird explained that the night was about “celebrating Risingholme [and] celebrating doing adult community education and showing art and the development of art”.
Fellow artist Sarah Johnson had similar sentiments adding that “it’s a wonderful opportunity to actually get out and show the world what we do”.
The Exhibition Team also agreed, noting that “this multidisciplinary exhibition can be a stepping stone for emerging artists and a point of pride for themselves and their friends and family. Our creative community at Risingholme is thriving and Rise Up offers a glimpse into what we hope will only come to grow in the coming years”.
Thank you to everyone involved in bringing the exhibition to life and to ACE Aotearoa and Big River Creative for sending down a film crew to capture some of the special moments on video which you can view below.
This exhibition was made with the support of the Creative New Zealand Creative Communities Scheme
Risingholme would also like to acknowledge the in kind support of
