Art Heroes
Outstanding Service to the Arts Awards 2009
Arts Waikato presented its Outstanding Service to the Arts awards to three recipients from Hamilton, Huntly and Cambridge, as a celebration of the voluntary work done by these special people and as recognition of their commitment to the arts. Arts Waikato Staff and trustees have been humbled by the quality of the nominations received and the selfless contributions of the nominees. The Trust had a difficult job selecting the recipients from the excellent candidates put forward by their nominees.
" Those who have been honoured are exceptional people whose efforts have brought many, many years of pleasure to hundreds of others and have been of lasting benefit to their local communities," said Mrs Alison Gibb, Chairperson of Arts Waikato Trust.
The recipients are:
Kirimaaku Kihi has been a composer of waiata for the past 40 years. She has also been instrumental in teaching waiata to school and adult kapa haka. Her passion, dedication and commitment to this kaupapa has helped revitalise and restore traditional practises with waiata and kapahaka in the Waikato. Kirimaaku has taught in Maori immersion education for over 30 years. As a result, she has nurtured and shaped a generation of children with her knowledge of te reo and the unique attributes of Waikato-Tainui tikanga. Many of these children have continued Kirimaaku's passion through tutoring their own kapahaka and schools.
Pam Watson: The array of letters supporting Pam's nomination attests to Pam's vital contribution to the artistic and personal development of so many Waikato artists.
There is no place for shallowness or complacency in Pam's classes. Pam brings a deep intellect and profound integrity to her teaching. Pam goes the extra mile, checking the direction of the light and the tides so that those on her field trips will have the best subject matter to work with.
She is generous with her resources, her knowledge, and her phenomenal collection of portraits to stimulate creativity. Along the way, Pam will have found the exact painting to illustrate the point which will help a particular individual with their growth as an artist.
Janet Smith: Janet has given enormous service to the arts through her great passion and enjoyment of clay over the last thirty years. The WSA committee has a wonderful understanding of her service to ceramics throughout new Zealand, as many years as President of Waikato Society of Potters in testament to. She is currently the President of New Zealand Potters Incorporated which represents hundreds of Ceramic arts nationally. Janet and her late husband also published the New Zealand Potters Mark Book. A major work,creating a record of 1500 marks of major New Zealand Potters over the last 50 years. Janet is also responsible for the creation of WaiClay, a national ceramics exhibition held in conjunction with Waikato Museum.
ARTS HEROES HONOURED
The inaugural Arts Waikato Outstanding Service to the Arts Awards honoured nearly 150 years of voluntary contribution to the arts at the 2008 Scholarship Awards evening on May 16.
Arts Waikato established the awards earlier this year and were delighted with the quality of nominations. "The trust wanted to celebrate the voluntary work of those special folk who bring pleasure to many in their local communities through promotion of the arts," said chief executive Tim Macindoe.
The first four awards went to dedicated arts supporters from Hamilton, Tirau, Cambridge and Onewhero, who were presented with a stunning cast glass trophy designed by Waikato artist Peter Faulkner to acknowledge their valuable contribution to community arts in their region.
"Arts Waikato had a very difficult task selecting the inaugural recipients," said Mr Macindoe. "Those who were honoured are exceptional people whose efforts have brought many years of pleasure and lasting benefit to their home towns."
Recipients were:
- Graeme Henry, Hamilton: Life Member of the Waikato Society of Arts, treasurer and financial advisor for over 20 years, and a volunteer for arts organisations such as the Hamilton Competitions Society and Hamilton Community Arts Council since the 1970s.
Graeme is an important part of the management committee which initiated and runs the city's two national art awards: the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award and the Trust Waikato National Contemporary Art Award.
- Patricia and John Eastwood, Tirau (joint award): instrumental in developing and running many creative events which have put Tirau on the map e.g The Tirau Footpath Gallery Project, Tirau Art Workshop, Easter in Tirau, Artsfest South Waikato, Art in the Garden and WOW Tirau.
Their efforts, enthusiasm, time and organisational skills have brought pleasure and inspiration as well as a constant reminder of the importance of visual art in the life of a community.
- June McCoubrie, Onewhero: led the establishment of the new Onewhero district Theatre and Arts centre which opened on 19 April this year
June's vision for the facility, her optimism, negotiation skills and hands-on approach resulted in a modern, well-equipped facility for drama, music, film and art, as well as for teaching young people and enabling them to experience the world of performing arts.
- Judith Robinson, Cambridge: has participated in all areas of performance during 35 years involvement with music and theatre in the region, including
directing, acting, accompanying or musical directing over 18 shows.
A member of Cambridge Repertory Society for 20 years and a committee member since 1991, she was made a Life Member in 2000. As a primary school teacher she fostered a love of music and the arts in her students.