The Arts Village People: Recent Episodes
The Arts Village
Smithy and Tara from The Arts Village Rotorua are keeping in touch with our community and giving you a rundown on recent events, along with an in-depth spotlight on a different artist or creator each episode. Check out theartsvillage on Instagram, Rotorua Arts Village on Facebook and our website https://www.artsvillage.org.nz/
This podcast is produced with funding from Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
In this episode, Sheree chats with painter and TikTok star, Regan Balzer about her work and recent touring exhibition with Auahi Kore, 'AUAHITŪROA: A Eulogy to Tobacco'.
https://www.reganbalzer.com/
Thank you to the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust for funding the Arts Village People!
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website (artsvillage.org.nz) or by searching for us on your favourite podcast app!
This podcast was produced and edited by Joshua T Davis.
In this week's kōrero, Sheree talks about fostering creativity in young people with educator and musician Cheyla Samuels.
Thank you to the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust for funding another 12 episodes of the Arts Village People!
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website (artsvillage.org.nz) or by searching for us on your favourite podcast app!
This podcast was produced and edited by Joshua T Davis.
In this episode, Sheree welcomes Michael Matchitt, master carver to the podcast. Tune in for an extended kōrero about whakairo, from Mike's early years as an apprentice to teaching his craft to new generations.
Check out Michael Matchitt's mahi on his website: https://www.michaelmatchitt.com
Thank you to the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust for funding another 12 episodes of the Arts Village People!
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website (artsvillage.org.nz) or by searching for us on your favourite podcast app!
This podcast was produced and edited by Joshua T Davis.
In this episode of the Arts Village People, Sheree talks to one of the Open Studio residents, visual artist and story teller Ellen Jones-Pool about self-belief, taking risks and the effect that art can have on your mental health. As well as some stories from her residency in the village.
This episode was recorded in January 2024.
Thank you to the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust for funding another 12 episodes of the Arts Village People!
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website (artsvillage.org.nz) or by searching for us on your favourite podcast app!
This podcast was produced and edited by Joshua T Davis.
This week's kōrero is with one of the Arts Village's summer residents, soft sculpture artist Tonina Ngatai. Sheree chats with her about the inspirations behind her mahi, as well as about the inter-generational connections that were made at her workshops in the village over the last six weeks.
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
Sheree is joined over the phone by self-professed "weaver of tales" Natasha Diamond. Listen for an in-depth kōrero on the nature of writing as an art form, and on how theatre can be a more accessible medium to tell important stories about te ao Māori.
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
In this week's kōrero, Sheree talks to Robin Harland from the Geyserland art group about their work in landscape painting. Once again, things get pretty deep when asked about the nature of what makes someone an "artist".
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
In this kōrero, Sheree chats with Arts Village board member, Georgia Haimona about Kapa Haka - and how it brings communities together, and helps promote te ao Māori in Aotearoa and the wider world.
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
This episode is about the korero between the notes... that's right, we're talking jazz! Sheree is joined by musician Rio Hemopo-Hunuki to talk about their mahi, their influences and tell stories about their early gigs in bars.
You can find out more about Rio's work with Koi Digital here: https://koidigital.io/
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
In this episode, Sheree chats on the phone with Te Aramoana and Soraya all the way down in Pōneke about Kapa Haka. Stay tuned for an informative discussion on how they came to Kapa Haka in different ways and its importance in te ao Māori.
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
This week, Sheree spoke with Jane Johnson-Matua, the Activities Coordinator at the Arts Village, about her extraordinary mahi. From using clay to breathe life back into discarded childhood toys to employing traditional Māori techniques and materials for creating sustainable burial shrouds, this conversation covers a lot of creative ground.
Content warning: This podcast episode does contain frank discussions of death, funerals, and burials.
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by visiting the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
In this episode, Sheree chats to Kaeleb Ngatai (Kaelebskups), a local Māori artist who specialises in ceramics. They discuss the process of making something beautiful from clay, and all the things that can go wrong along the way.
You can see Kaeleb's work on his instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaelebskups/
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by going to the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T Davis: joshuatdavis.com
This week Sheree is joined by digital artist, and former host of THIS VERY PODCAST, Tara Prieto! This kōrero covers Tara's work at Digital Natives with local rangatahi, her journey to becoming a digital artist, as well as the people and media that influence her work to this day.
You can find Tara's work on her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friedratart/
And of course, you can also listen to the first 20 episodes of this podcast for even more Tara!
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by going to the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T Davis: joshuatdavis.com
The Arts Village People explores a new perspective on working in the arts by interviewing 11 year old, Tumanako. Tumanako would consider themselves a multi-diciplinary artist, who enjoys creating landscapes and designing houses. This episode is a real treat, and we were so happy to have Tumanako on the podcast.
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by going to the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast is produced and edited by Joshua T. Davis: joshuatdavis.com
In this episode, a kōrero between Sheree and filmmaker Jay Marino. They talk about the creative process from writing to editing and if film school is really worth it?
Jay runs filmmaking and content creation classes at the Rotorua Community Youth Centre, find out more here: https://rotoruayouthcentre.org/
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by going to the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast was produced by Joshua T Davis: joshuatdavis.com
The Arts Village People is BACK! Brand new host, Sheree Thompson interviews digital artist Rihipa Taiatini, and asks her about her influences, how she got her start in digital art and how her work is influenced by the mahi of her family and upbringing.
The Arts Village People is funded by the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.
Find more episodes of the Arts Village People by going to the Rotorua Arts Village website: artsvillage.org.nz
This podcast is produced by Joshua T Davis (joshuatdavis.com)
Tara and Smithy are joined by tutor, Riley from Toi Ohomai, alongside two students Raelyn and Patrick to talk about their work and experience studying creative arts. Their end of year exhibition He Kākano is open for viewing until the 25th March at Toi Ohomai Mokoia Campus, Rotorua. Follow them on instagram at @hekakano2022
Tara and Smithy chat to Nanu from Rotorua Musical Theatre group about their career in acting and performing, how they got their start singing karaoke and some tips for aspiring theatre performers in Rotorua.
Links:
https://rotoruamusicaltheatre.co.nz/
info@rotoruamusicaltheatre.co.nz
After battling computer gremlins, Smithy and Tara chat to Mollie Smith from the Rotorua Writers Group. They talk about how the group supports local writers of all genres and of all skill-levels, from amateurs to experienced authors, as well as how you can get involved in their monthly meetings and how you can support local authors. Mollie also gives some book recommendations from Rotorua writers, which we have linked below!
'Heads Will Roll': https://www.amazon.com/Heads-Will-Roll-Other-Pieces-ebook/dp/B08DFHNFFC/
Lyndsay Campbell: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07TDPLW23
Tom E. Moffatt: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07BZL2TQ4 https://www.mcleodsbooks.co.nz/catalog/list_author_titles?author=Tom+E.+Moffatt
Vicki Arnott: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07LD3Z3LB
If you want to contact the writers' group, you can do so by emailing the following people:
Marj Griffiths – mikemarj@xtra.co.nz
Vicki Arnott – vicki_a@xtra.co.nz
Tara and Smithy chat with Sandy Hall from the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust (the organisation that funds this very podcast) to talk about arts funding. What is it? How do you get it? What do you need to do to qualify for it? Sandy tells us about all the options available to the artists of Rotorua from the Civic Arts Trust, and gives some tips for future applicants.
Find out more about the Civic Arts Trust here: https://rotoruacivicartstrust.org.nz/
Email the Civic Arts Trust Secretary Alison Perrin: office@rotoruacivicartstrust.org.nz
Tara and Smithy talk to Kahurangi Dewes-Green, the youngest ever artist resident at the Arts Village. Listen to hear reminiscence on the artists residency scheme, and learn more about the process for young artists making portfolios and applying for further education in the arts.
Tara and Smithy are joined by Anna Hayes to discuss sustainable art, and making artworks with a real-life purpose. As well as this, Anna shares her experience of getting into studying art at a later stage of their life, rather than straight from school.
An interview with Fordlands Community Centre's Whānau Connector, and Arts Village board member Heidi Symon. In this episode they discuss the mahi the Village and Fordlands have done together, as well as the services they provide for the Fordlands community... also sausage sizzles.
In addition, Tara welcomes new activities and co-host Smithy-James Sarah to the podcast!
Find out more about Fordlands Community Centre on their website: Fordlands Community Centre (fordlands.co.nz)
Tara goes solo for this episode and interviews Rafa Moreira, one of the organisers of Kupu Festival, which was held in Rotorua earlier this year. They discuss the sometimes painful process of organising a large event like this, as well as discuss some of the highlights of the festival itself.
Kupu Festival: kupufestival.co.nz
McLeods Booksellers: mcleodsbooks.co.nz
Georgia and Tara are joined in the village by Iain Fraser (virtually) and Ann Somerville (in studio) to talk about the upcoming W. Stanley Wallis exhibition: "Enjoyment of the Search".
In this episode Iain Fraser tells us the reasons he funded the renovation and renaming of Studio One (now the Wallis Gallery), and talks about the life and work of his Grandfather, W. Stanley Wallis. As well as this, Rotorua Museum's Ann Somerville reminisces about Wallis' daughter (Iain's mother), Rotorua icon, Ynys Fraser.
"Enjoyment of the Search" opens on the 6th of May and runs until the 28th of May.
You can find out more about the exhibition here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/276379284703427
Tara and Georgia sit down with Marcus from Rotorua's own Digital Natives Academy to talk about their mission to create a digitally literate Rotorua. They discuss the barriers to entry to the digital art world, as well as the benefits of using high-tech kit to teach tamariki who might be otherwise difficult to reach.
Get in touch with the Digital Natives Academy by heading to their facebook page, or popping in while you're in town! https://www.facebook.com/DigitalNativesAcademy
Georgia and Tara is joined by local musician and educator Trojan-John (Laughing in Bedlam), to talk about performing, songwriting and collaborating with others to make good art. They also touch on Trojan's musical projects Laughing in Bedlam and the unique "Studio-like Sessions".
You can find Trojan and his project Laughing in Bedlam here:
https://www.facebook.com/laughinginbedlam/
https://www.instagram.com/laughinginbedlam
Studio-like Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iHavO2ADwE
Community highlights:
Almost Autumn Music Performances - https://www.facebook.com/events/193825452966536
He Kete Kotahi - https://www.facebook.com/events/149934170650497/
Rotorua Museum Roof Tiles - contact joanne@lockwood.co.nz
Tara and Georgia are joined by Astrid Bunne Namdari (& her new baby!) to discuss the He Kete Kotahi exhibition (on now in every gallery in the Arts Village!). The exhibition is dedicated to Ábdu’l Bahá, the son of the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith to commemorate the centenary of his passing.
Our hosts also go through upcoming community highlights:
In the Clouds - A Flash of Inspiration Drop-in Session (Saturday March 12th at the Arts Village): https://fb.me/e/7i4Kt3LQX
From Zero to Hero: Digital Art Workshop (Saturday March 19th at the Digital Natives Academy): https://fb.me/e/1km29NkXz
Almost Autumn Music Performances (Saturday March 26th at the Arts Village): https://fb.me/e/1h8CPAisP
Georgia and Tara are reunited with former Director at the Arts Village, Mary-Beth Acres to discuss her arts practice, her new job in Christchurch, an incredible story about her lost cat, and of course memories of her time at the Village.
Follow Mary-Beth on Instagram and Facebook by following this link: https://linktr.ee/mbacres
Learn more about the Cantabrainers Choir here: https://www.cantabrainerschoir.nz
Find Arts Village Merch here: https://tav-merch.printmighty.co.nz
This episode is a recording of the artists' panel from the Open Studios Summer Residency Closing Showcase, recorded live in the Arts Village on 29/01/2022. Also in this first episode of 2022, Georgia and Tara catch us up with everything you've missed, and what's coming soon in the Village and on the podcast.
Warning: there is some mild explicit language during the panel.
Panel begins at 13:54
Georgia and Tara reminisce about the history of the Arts Village and the Rotorua arts scene with community artists Angela Frank and Jill Walker. There was SO MUCH interesting stuff they had to say that this episode is a bumper 50 minute episode!
"Exile on Tombleson Road" by poet Brian Pōtiki and photographer Riley Claxton is launching this Sunday 21st Nov, 2pm at Mcleods Books.
PRODUCERS NOTE: Apologies for some of the dodgy audio for Georgia and Tara, we had some equipment issues for this record, so the quality wasn't as up to scratch as I would have liked it.
Georgia and Tara are joined in-studio by former Arts Village artist residency alum Smithy-James Sarah to talk about fan-art, conventions and give tips on how to not overwork yourself when running workshops.
You can find Smithy's work on instagram: @sleepingboi.art
You can find Sam's work on instagram: @samsilversmith and @silverstar.nz
In this episode (the first to be recorded IN PERSON) Tara and Georgia chat with Anna McLay from Rotorua Potters Group about pottery and wellbeing, emotional men with weird hair and their upcoming exhibition at the Arts Village. The exhibition opens on the 22nd of October and it runs through to mid-November.
Follow @Anna_M_Clay on instagram for more from Anna.
You can find the survey Georgia mentioned at the top of the episode by visiting this link: https://taurimavibes.surveysparrow.com/s/-Independent-Practitioner-2021-Covid-19-Impact-Survey/tt-b28e19362a?fbclid=IwAR3qpxZHsjTMmRnhfy9TgweQowzAPzgh5WrxMww_X1hzk728_g-kMq96oPA
Georgia and Tara are joined by local digital artist and twitch streamer Akoni Pakinga (8th_wonder_nz) to discuss being an "Ultra-creative",virtual reality sculpting, NFTs and working as a freelance artist. You can find Akoni's streams by visiting twitch.tv/8th_wonder_nz
Akoni and Tara feature in the streaming group, Supergang. For their updates, follow them on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/stuff_thesupergang/
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPiCtE7ojrM&
https://www.facebook.com/tridentofatua
Tara and Georgia are joined by local textiles artist Ruth McMonagle to talk about her upcoming exhibition, "Connections" at the Arts Village. You can find more from Ruth by visiting her website ruthmcmonagle.net
In this first episode of the podcast, hosts Georgia and Tara interview the Arts Village's new director, Kellez McManus. Interview begins at 08:26.