Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Petone’s Foreshore will be alive with activity during the 2009 Petone Winter Carnival.
As the name suggests, this exciting festival has an array of carnival themed entertainment, including: circus workshops, a petting zoo, carnival rides & games, a mid-winter swim, circus sideshows & street theatre, fire sculptures and much more. Capping off the day’s festivities is the 5th Annual Pelorus Trust Fireshow, which will light up the night sky in a blaze of multi-coloured pyrotechnics.
This year’s Carnival will go the extra mile to celebrate local arts and culture by presenting a live art installation. Leisure Active has commissioned nationally renowned muralist, Daniel Mills, who will paint a 48 meter mural with the help of several young artist from The Learning Connexion.
“It’s going to be a striking and dramatic work of art” says Mills, who is already deep into the planning and design.
“Public art projects are a great opportunity to celebrate what makes a community unique. Collaborating with such a great group of people has been inspiring – not to mention helpful on a mural of this size!”
While surface preparation and colour blocking will be executed prior to the event, much of the imagery and detailing will be painted live on the event day. Sponsoring this project is Resene Paints who will be providing the artists with supplies including over 25 litres of paint needed to cover the massive concrete canvass.
The mural, which will be located on a two-part concrete wall between the Heretaunga Boat Club and the Jetty Café, will depict the Legend of Te Whanganui a Tara (Wellington Harbour). Working closely with Mills to ensure the accuracy of this legend is Whaea Liz Mellish from local iwi, Te Atiawa.
“The legend is one of great cultural significance to the Wellington region” Mellish explains.
"Much of the geographical characteristics of the harbour are mythologically attributed to the two taniwha, Whataitai and Ngake, who are central to the story. It's an example of the spiritual relationship local Maori share with their environment.”
Visitors can watch the tale Whataitai and Ngake unfold before their eyes in a whirl of paint brushes and a collage of colour. Visitors will then be invited to join local iwi, Te Atiawa, as they present the finished masterpiece with a traditional Maori blessing.
If the weather is too poor on Saturday, 18th July, the Carnival will be postponed to the following day, Sunday 19th July. For the most up-to-date information please visit www.wintercarnival.co.nz
The Petone Winter Carnival is a family-friendly event proudly presented by Leisure Active - Hutt City Council and funding partners Pelorus Trust and New Zealand Community Trust.
For images and interviews please contact:
Alec Wheeler
Major Events Coordinator
Leisure Active - Hutt City Council
04 560 0306
027 278 7680