The Dowse >> September 2005

The Dowse >> SEPTEMBER 2005

_THE DOWSE CLOSING DATE : SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2005

The Dowse will close its doors on Sunday, for a major building redevelopment which is scheduled to take approx.18 months to complete. SO - come and enjoy the last weekend of The Dowse as we know it!

TOURS : Saturday 3 September 12-4pm Visitors (with a little imagination and creative visualisation) will be able to take a guided tour, by Dowse staff, of the proposed changes to the building.

THE DESIGN OF THE 'NEW' DOWSE : Athfield Architects' stunning design for the 'new' Dowse includes 60% more gallery space, multipurpose indoor and outdoor facilities, a spectacular garden cafe and gallery store - watch this space for updates & new images of the building facade and interior spaces .

During this period of closure The Dowse will continue to tour its most popular exhibitions to other venues nationally, programme off-site exhibitions in Wellington and profile items from its collection online at www.dowse.org.nz.
The first off-site exhibition is scheduled for the NZ International Festival of the Arts in February 2006...

_IMAGES:
(top) view from upstairs gallery ....
(bottom) the new building entrance way (with large cafe space on right hand side)

NEWS: CUSTOM-MADE CUSHIONS, CRADLES & COVERS FOR THE DOWSE COLLECTION

In preparation for the building redevelopment the Dowse's permanent collection, consisting of over 2700 artworks, is being lovingly wrapped and secured before construction begins.

Ceramic cats (pictured left) from Bronwynne Cornish's work "Home Is Where the Heart Is" receive protective padded coats and collars before heading off for a little holiday at the ceramic cattery...(ie. a series of specially designed and very comfy wooden crates) image: by photographer Mark Marriott

_DOWSE WISH TREE GIVE US A MEMORY & MAKE A WISH!

A colourful Dowse Wish Tree has been painted on the wall of the gallery for the final week before the building finally closes for redevelopment.

This is an opportunity for the Dowse's large extended family (visitors, artists and makers, local residents and staff) to look back and celebrate over three decades of extraordinary exhibitions and events. Visitors such as Dowse regular and enthusiast, John Murchison (pictured left hanging his wish entitled 'Pot of Gold'), can record and decorate their favourite Dowse experiences, make a wish for the new Dowse and hang it on the tree.

_NEWS: CLAIRE REGNAULT, DOWSE PROGRAMME DEVELOPER
selected to take art exploration tour of Germany and The Netherlands.

In October this year, Claire will head to Germany and The Netherlands courtesy of the Goethe-Institut and German Federal Foreign Office, and The Netherlands Museum Association. She has been invited to take part in a visitors’ programme focused on modern and contemporary art and will join 15 other art gallery and museum professionals from around the world.

The tour will take in Germany’s leading art galleries and museums, both public and private, and in The Netherlands Claire will visit museums and galleries that specialise in design and decorative arts. As The Dowse closes for redevelopment, and our aspirations grow for the reopening, this international visit provides the opportunity to see what is happening internationally in the areas most close to our heart, to develop international networks and partnerships for future projects, and even to steal a few ideas!

>> DOWSE TOURING EXHIBITIONS THE NEW COOL : CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch : OCT 15 > NOV 20, 2005
venue: The Design & Arts College, 116 Worcester St, Chch www.dac.ac.nz

The Dowse's hugely popular New Cool exhibition is about to hit the road, touring venues around the country over the next 18 months. For updates on tour venues and details check www.dowse.org.nz The New Cool is a multimedia exhibition featuring 12 street-smart companies who are transforming creative passions into business dollars. more
image : Tanya Thompson, Director of Misery
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FOR MORE INFO CHECK WWW.DOWSE.ORG.NZ

The Dowse
Laings Road
PO Box 30 396
Lower Hutt
NEW ZEALAND

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