Art in the Dark is not going ahead in 2015

It’s with great sadness that Art in the Dark Trust announces the much loved free community light festival will not go ahead this year due to funding.

This free event has transformed Western Park, Ponsonby into a brightly lit hub of installations and sculptures commissioned and created especially for the festival annually each November for the past five years.

The festival has boasted a prolific number of artworks from participants across New Zealand and abroad utilising sustainable materials and energy to bring both their works and their abilities to light.

Over the years, the festival has seen over 150,000 visitors attend the event and seen significant works by artists Tiffany Singh, Hannah Jensen, Alexander Bartleet, Kit Webster (international), Flox and Johnson Witehera among many more. Scientist Siouxie Wiles, architects from Cheshire Architects, Jasmax and Fabricate and performers from Douglas Wright and Backlit Productions have also presented work in the Festival, creating new partnerships and collaborations while adding a unique dimension to the Festival.

Art in the Dark has worked with local organizations and schools in its education and outreach programme, including Sustainable Coastlines, Nga Rangitahi Toa, Lovenotes and schools around Auckland to highlight and educate around environmental issues. Through a mentorship programme with AUT, for the past 5 years, young Spatial Design students from AUT have been able to present works at the event.

‘We would like to thank our funding bodies, artists, sponsors and the entertainment industry for their extraordinary support that has meant we have been able to create a truly unique and memorable event for Auckland’ says Celia Harrison – Creative Director of Art in the Dark

Art in the Dark plans to return in 2016 with new energy, ideas, a programme of international standard and a potentially new venue to suit its growing audience.

‘Art in the Dark has become an extremely important part of both the Auckland creative landscape, as well as the Auckland events calendar.As a free event it offers an opportunity for all Aucklanders to engage with an art form in an environment that is both accessible and compelling - its contribution to the community and livability of Auckland is palpable.”
Frith Walker - Waterfront Auckland 2014

“This delightful event, which came out of nowhere three years ago, turns art viewing into an adventure sport in the otherwise under-used park.” - Janet Mcalister, NZ Herald, 17 Nov 2012

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