Arts activities revolving around the 35 year celebration of Waiuku Family Support Network took multiple forms, bringing together community and embracing wellbeing through the arts. The establishment of Artisans Alcove, housed at #8 Queen Street, created a hub for the sharing of creative work including workshops, a gallery/shop and meeting place. A poetry reading, book launch and podcasts were also part of this new initiative. Formal 35 year celebrations included a live music performance and artisan commissioned objects that helped tell the story of the Network. The final event is the presentation of the theatre performance Back to Square One, celebrating intergenerational connection through family, personal histories and storytelling. Weather events and availability have shifted the delivery of the play at Back Stage Theatre in Waiuku, to August 2023.
Highlights: Coral represents our 35th anniversary and symbolises longevity, successfulness, diplomacy and concurrence. Supporting artists as part of the celebrations is about feeding the imagination and visualisation as a transfer of knowledge. The Artists Alcove is a rich addition to year-round activities, connecting artists from across the region and providing a platform for wellbeing through creativity.
Feedback:“The anniversary highlighted that it is of utmost importance to capture our history and preserve cultural wisdom for future generations in a creative way. Storytelling and podcasts foster a personal connection through the “art” of campfire-style conversations. The power of digital content creation also enables us to amplify the voices of Māori and Pasifika”. Karen Hyland (Waiuku Family Support Network)