Johanna Mechen’s spectacular video installation ‘Moturoa Stream_Long Island in the City’ was exhibited in Central Park as part of the 2015 Upstream Art Trail. In researching the work, Johanna spent numerous hours in the park, exploring its secrets and engaging with locals and wildlife. These experiences of the park were then interpreted in a video work that can be watched here:…
Volunteering Champion Award
Last week, we were delighted to be awarded ‘Community Volunteer Champion’ in the Volunteer Wellington Employee Volunteering Awards 2015. The award recognises the community engagement opportunities Upstream has created for volunteers from local businesses and Victoria University. It’s a double win for us, of course, because of all the extra help we’ve received with weeding and general tidying at Central…
Upstream 2015 a Fringe Festival Award Winner
We are very pleased to announce that the inaugural ‘Upstream Art Trail’ was named the winner of the “Best Visual Arts” award at the New Zealand Fringe Festival. Friends of Central Park members Donna Goodwin, Lynne White and Kevin Ward attending the ceremony on the 15th of March and accepted the award on behalf of the Upstream team. For more…
Upstream – The Art Trail
The inaugural Upstream Art Trail took place in Central Park on March 5-8. Despite an epic storm on the Saturday the trail was a huge success. It attracted hundreds of visitors and we received extremely positive feedback on the quality, diversity and accessibility of the artwork. Upstream was envisioned as an event that would showcase the work of emerging artists, bring the community…
Community Champions!
Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson presented the Friends of Central Park with a ‘Community Champion Award’ at last month’s planting. The award is presented monthly by the Wellingtonian in association with local MPs. It recognises a person (or in this case a group) who are seen to be making a difference in the community. Grant said he had spent a lot…
Upstream Art Trail – ‘Shelter’ Workshops in Schools
Wellington artists Gabby O’Connor and Vanessa Crowe are acting as ‘artist mentors’ for the upcoming Upstream Art Trail (March 5-8). Gabby and Vanessa have been supporting the chosen artists and are helping to make their site-specific outdoor concepts a reality. In addition to her mentoring role, Gabby is coordinating a series of art workshops at schools close to Central Park. Students…
‘Jetty’ project complete
The redeveloped ‘jetty’ area was officially christened with a barbecue in early December.
Funding grants help Art Trail
Two grants have made our Art Trail in March possible.
Planting around ‘jetty’ started
On Sunday 5 October, planting commenced around the jetty recently constructed in the area once occupied by a children’s paddling pool. A mixture of natives and exotics were planted, and the area adjacent to the jetty was levelled ready for sowing grass seed. Funding for this project has been provided by Transpower.
Central Park is 101 years old!
Central Park’s first sod was turned on Labour Day, 1913. Happy birthday Central Park!