Innovative Idea Led To Formation

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 24, 10 November 1987, Page 1 (Supplement)

Innovative Idea Led To Formation

An idea which had its beginnings in the minds of a small but dedicated group of art lovers back in 1985, comes to fruition next week with the Central King Country Visual Arts Exhibition at the Taumarunui War Memorial Hall. The idea was to encourage people to come to the Central King Country to explore the region and discover its charms and beauty transferring that experience either onto canvas or into a camera. The people responsible for this innovative idea legally formed the Visual Arts Trust in September 1986 and approached world renowned artist Peter Mclntyre for his support. Mclntyre agreed to become the Trust's patron adding his famous name and support to the project. To many the choice may seem odd but to those people who are familiar with Mclntyre's literary and artistic work, there really is no other person who could have filled the role so well. One of his best known books, 'Kakahi', is about his beloved holiday home nestled on the shores of the Wanganui River.

Mclntyre's love of the region is unquestioned particularly when one recalls how fervently he fought against the Tongariro River Power Project as he believed the diversion of so much of the Wanganui River and its tributaries would be detrimental to the region's beauty. Following Mclntyre's appointment, a steering committee was formed to try and secure funds for the project. Major business houses were approached as well as local businesses. The object was to raise $14,000. However an anonymous

backer removed much of the worry associated with fundraising when support was pledged for the inaugural awards. Several well known people agreed to become advisory trustees. Wanganui historian Arthur Bates was joined by well known artist and television personality Shona McFarlane, former mayor of Taumarunui Les Byars M.B.E., former mayoress of Wellington and a King Country girl herself, Lady Barbara Fowler, Michael Hay and Archbishop Brian Davis.

The good news continued to flow in with the announcement in April this year that the Taumarunui Winter Show Trust had boosted the Central King Country Visual Arts Awards with a $10,000 prize money donation. The announcement was made at a function in the Taumarunui Club by Ron Powell representing the Show Trust. The money offered by the Visual Arts Trust for the 1987 awards is "for that which best captures any aspect of life, atmosphere and environment in the Central King Country". The awards come under three categories - painting, graphics and photography. A grant of $1,000 will be awarded in each of the three subject divisions. Therefore $1,000 will be awarded for the most favoured painting, graphic (pencilsketch, charcoal) and photograph in the landscape division, towns and townships and parks and rivers. In addition to these nine awards, a special grant of $5,000 will be offered for a painting only, in any style or medium. Continued on next page.