Tēnā rawa atu koutou – Thank you very much!

It is a very exciting week for us here at Mairtown. On Friday we will see the fruition of all our months of visualising, planning and team work at our Art Auction fundraiser.

When I reflect on all the work that has taken place in preparation for this event, it got me thinking about the African proverb “It takes a whole village to raise a child” (Igbo and Yoruba [Nigeria] proverb) which reminds us that raising great children requires a communal effort. Some of the values of community include sharing, cooperation, unity and working together for a common goal. Our goal at Mairtown is to revamp our highly valued and frequently used art studio space. When we started to share our thoughts and vision about how to raise extra funds to make this happen, our community stepped forward to offer their skills and expertise.

This week’s blog is about acknowledging those that have been so generous with their time and energy to support this initiative. Some are current attending families at Kindergarten and many are parents who have left, but extended their offer of help to see the project through.

So a big thanks to Matt Keene, a great Dad, ideas enthusiast and writing extraordinaire. Matt penned our letter to the artists for us, pulling together a page of scruffy ideas to make a symphony of words.

Melissa Gilbert and Akke Tiemersma have driven (literally!) to great lengths to share our vision and ask artists to donate their time and energy. Their fantastic efforts produced over 11 pieces of work including one each of their own. Thanks!

 

Our parent support group Janelle Lowe, Kim Alexander, Candace Hooson, Daniela Andrae, Moanna Edwards and Laurel Searley. Thank you so much for sitting through all my excited rants about the possibilities of art and community and for offering your individual strengths to the cause. We have had excellent advertising, planning, board making, poster runs, art pick ups, baking and ideas sharing. We look forward to celebrating the success of this project with you all on Friday night and beyond.

Thank you Vaughan Gunson and Jamie Haigh for the 6 hours of considered time you gave us to hang the exhibition, we are so grateful for your combined artist and building knowledge and expertise.

Artist Haydn Harding viewing the work for auction

Thanks to the team at the Old Stone Butter Factory. Jan Fisher is a truly humble woman. Our vision of reaching the wider community was realised when she (and the team) agreed to host our auction. The Old Stone Butter Factory has recently changed hands, thanks also to Jess and Daniel for continuing to support our efforts. We hope Friday night is just as much of a success for your new venture.

Christine, Zair, Donna and Sarah have once again proven themselves to be the hardest working woman in education (haha!). I am honoured to work alongside such dedicated and productive teachers. Thank you to each of you for all your extra work and energy, your efforts will reach wide into our community which amongst the many tasks you undertook will be remembered every time the children's incredible art is admired on walls.

And finally our biggest thank you goes out to our contributing artists both young and older. Without your generosity and support this idea could never have come to realisation. We are so appreciative to each of you and feel blessed to be part of a wider community. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you!

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!

What is the most important thing in the world?
It is people! It is people! It is people! 

Kim

(all photographs taken in The Old Stone Butter Factory)