Opening with Pride: the King Street Artworks exhibition

31 May 2011

Opening with Pride: the annual King Street Artworks exhibition

The much-anticipated annual King Street Artworks exhibition this year features around 400 artworks - from embroidery, felt and craft, to paintings, woodwork and ceramics - by people who attend the creative space in Masterton. And there will be some special treats for cat lovers, say organisers.

The cat-inspired works are the result of a King Street workshop run by ceramic artist Janet Green earlier this year. Among them are some imposing large-scale cats made from clay, which have been decorated with patterns and colourful glazes.

“We are celebrating King Street and the diversity of our group,” says King Street manager Ian Chapman. “We are proud of the work here, and proud of our artists.” ‘Pride’, this year’s title, emerged from a discussion about taking pride in your work, he says.

"The annual King Street exhibition is one of my personal favourites,” says Aratoi director Marcus Buroughs. “I love the diversity of the show and the commitment that goes into each artwork and also the excitement of the artists at the opening. I can’t wait!"

King Street Artworks is a creative space for people who use
or have used mental health services,
their whanau friends and the community, and is located in King Street, Masterton. Its aims are to “promote well being in the community through creative expression placing whanaungatanga (family togetherness) at the heart of what we do”.

King Street Artworks welcomes people to use the wide range of facilities and resources available. Visitors can work on their own projects. Tutors, who are artists themselves, are on hand to help if needed, and introduce people to new techniques and ways of working through periodic workshops. King Street Artworks is open Monday to Friday (10am-3pm), and Saturdays (10am-2pm). Friday is Women's Day, and there is an outreach group that meets at the Featherston Community Centre every Tuesday (10am – 2.30pm).

Pride – A group exhibition by King Street Artworks artists, 25 June – 24 July. Aratoi – Wairarapa Museum of Art & History, Bruce St, Masterton.

Open daily 10am-4.30pm. www.aratoi.co.nz.
ends.