Umbrella Amnesty

Have you got any old, broken or neglected umbrellas lurking around your home? If so, you can surrender them in the first ever ‘Taupo Umbrella Amnesty’.

All the donated umbrellas will then be used to create a public artwork as part of this year’s Graffiato event, being held in Taupō over Labour Weekend.

Graffiato founder, Kylie Hawker-Green, who has joined forces with local businessman Chris Johnston, says the umbrella amnesty is a fun way to get the Taupō community involved in public art.

“Whilst we don’t want to give the game away just yet,” says Kylie, “we’re on the hunt for 500 umbrellas that we’ll then use to create a pretty special installation as part of Graffiato. The brighter, bigger, and bolder the brolly, the better!”

“The umbrellas don’t need to be in working order, and wonky poles or snapped arms are fine,” says Chris. “Bring them into us at Replete Café & Store and we’ll add them to the collection.”

“Ideally, we’d love to receive anything but boring black brollies,” explains Kylie. “Whether it’s a large striped golf umbrella, a bright yellow kids umbrella, or a fancy floral ladies brolly, we’ll take it.”

“Then it’s a matter of watch this space,” says Kylie, “we think Taupo is going to love our umbrella art!”

Umbrellas can be dropped off to Chris at Replete (45 Heu Heu St) or Kylie at The Hub (upstairs at 32 Roberts Street) from now until Friday 17 October. Any umbrellas received in good working order and not required for the artwork will be donated to the Lake Taupo Hospice Op Shop.

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