Arts collective and arts innovation centre, The Incubator, at the Historic Village, Tauranga, hosted its first birthday party on Saturday 4th October 2014
The invitation said “black tie” so I wore my best dress! So did everyone else. It was sartorial glamour and style. The sudden cold snap didn’t stop attendance but there were several concessions to the weather like coats and leather jackets over net and satin.
The gallery area was full of work representing the diverse talents of the collective.There was a performance stage with a wonderful young guitarist Josh Durning (15 years) providing ear-catching background music. (Take a look at www.http://joshdurning.com )
After a glass of wine, a chat, a nibble on the platters of evening food we had speeches. The collective founding Trustees Simone Anderson and Lisa Meehan spoke followed by the appropriately top-hatted Chairman of Trustees Ken White. During her speech Simone Anderson drew out thoughts towards “I will work for shoes” – Lynette Fisher while the Chairman candidly told us how a no capital etc venture had got off the ground and continues to grow.
ARTbop contributor (and Incubator collective member) Dhaivat Mehta read an original poem celebrating the event. Thanks to Glen Fitzjohn and Jim Jones and The People’s Temple there was rocking band music that insisted if you weren’t going to dance you at least had to sway on the spot. Air’s & Disgraces Kim Cori Hill and Jason Curtis overcame some technical issues to fill out the stage.
Dhaivat and I spoke with Hannah Wilson and Kathryn Robley from the Tauranga Art Gallery. The unique style of each was apparent: Hannah with her love of fabric and texture and Kathryn in a formal black trouser suit accessorised with an Israeli Army camera bag and thin eyebrow pencilled moustache! We also talked with Councillor Matt Cowley and others. I met Kirsty Clegg and her son Charlie: not only great to talk with but I’ve asked them both to contribute to ARTbop.
Now a charitable trust The Incubator will go from strength to strength. If you’re in mid-town Tauranga turn right at the 17th Avenue lights (before the public hospital). You’ll go down quite a steep hill and find the Historic Village. There is some limited parking within the Village area but free parking on the roadside. There is no charge for entry to the Historic Village which is home to a collection of arts ventures and social agencies. Check out The Incubator’s facebook page.
Rosemary Balu
