Tena koutou katoa
I have just returned from some time in Europe and seeing a range of museums and galleries in Poland, Germany, Malta and the Netherlands. European endowments and collections and their heritage buildings are, of course, incomparable but what struck me was how well Te Papa stood up by comparison in the variety, creativity and range of its storytelling. Our Place really is a national treasure of which we can be proud.
There is currently a rich mix of special exhibitions on at Te Papa and a busy programme of Friends’ events is being put together to add depth and interest to your enjoyment. These include some ‘hardy perennials’ such as our December pre-Christmas Shopping Night which offers not only great savings but also an opportunity to salve your conscience if you have procrastinated too long!
Your Committee and our Manager are working on some ideas for the first quarter of next year running through that rich cultural period of the New Zealand Festival in February and March. These are likely to include at least one more in the series of visits to sister galleries in the region.
Some of these events may not be finalised until much nearer the time so it is really important that Friends (and your friends) subscribe to the online version of our magazine Open Eyes so we are able to let you know about these opportunities, and give you a chance to book for them, at short notice. Opting to get Open Eyes online, rather than in posted copy, saves our precious resources for further Friends’ programmes. Click here to action this.
Mention of our sister galleries reminds me that it was a great pleasure recently to attend the launch at Pataka of an exhibition of sculptor Terry Stringer’s work. Those Friends who participated in the Auckland Sculpture tour a few years ago will remember what an enjoyable time we had visiting Terry’s house and open air display at Zealandia. The Pataka exhibition contains a representative range of his work from the 1980s through to the present and should not be missed.
If I don’t get the chance to see you at events later this month or at our December Shopping night can I take this opportunity on behalf of the Executive Committee and our Friends’ office to wish you all the best for the Christmas Holiday Season and for the New Year.
Nga mihi
Gordon Shroff
President