The Friends Of Tairawhiti Museum

DRAWING ATTENTION: Friends and whanau came from as far afield as Otago for Friday’s opening of Drawing Life, a posthumous exhibition celebrating the life drawing skills of the late Norman Maclean (1946-2023). What a celebration!

Don’t forget, Friends . . . Norm’s posthumous show opens this Friday. ❤️

AND IT’S OPEN: With support from kaitiaki Maori team member Kataraina (left) and Tairāwhiti Museum director Tapunga (centre), the exhibition Hand Coloured: Photography's Parallel Universe — curated by Peter Ireland (right) & Dudley Meadows — was opened last night. Go! See! The museum is open tomorrow for an afternoon wander. 😁❤️

Don't forget, Friends, the opening of Peter Ireland & Dudley Meadows' exhibition Hand Coloured: Photography's Parallel Universe is on tomorrow (Friday) at 5.30pm. Nau mai haere mai! 😊 https://tairawhitimuseum.org.nz/exhibition/hand-coloured-photographys-parallel-universe/

HERE'S TO ANOTHER FRIEND(LY) YEAR: Big thanks to chair Clare Robinson (centre), secretary Deb Williams (left) and treasurer Irene Smith (right) who, at last night's annual general meeting, agreed to continue their mahi for Friends of Tairawhiti Museum. And don't forget . . . you might not have time to be on the FoTM committee but you can still join us as a Friend and get all sorts of fun benefits. To find out more, just click on the link. 😊❤️ https://tairawhitimuseum.org.nz/support/friends-of-the-museum/

IT’S AGM TIME! The Friends Of Tairawhiti Museum is having its AGM tomorrow (Tuesday), 5pm at the museum. Come along! You might even want to become our Friend . . . 😁

OPENING NIGHT: What a fantastic turn-out at last night’s opening of Gisborne Artists’ Society’s annual exhibition of works by local artists. 😁❤️

RE-IMAGINATION: You bet we're looking forward to the Re-imagining Museums panel discussion, which will also be an opportunity to say goodbye to Sandy Adsett's hugely-popular Toi Koru retrospective that closes the Sunday after. See you there! ❤️

Thanks for all your mahi, Gwenda ❤️

It is with sadness the museum acknowledges the passing of Gwenda Crawshaw.

Gwenda will be fondly remembered for her long association with Tairāwhiti Museum predating the construction of the current building. She served for many years as a board member and briefly as director of the museum. Always on hand Gwenda continued her association with the museum in later years as a valued member of the museum’s volunteer brigade and was ultimately offered a Life Membership.
The arts community benefited greatly from Gwenda’s participation and involvement within committees, art groups, societies, exhibitions, and as a practicing member of the local enamellers group.
In the public arena Gwenda officiated in a number of key roles including Gisborne Mayoress and sitting at council on the Art and Public Places committee.

Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to Gwenda’s family.

Here’s one to mark in your diaries, Friends. 😊🌟

Opening this evening, Friends . . . ❤️

Anyone? ❤️

Hi everyone, we are trying to find the current owner of this painting by Norman Maclean "Painting for David- Poet reciting to the wind" 1979. Oil on board. 800x1200 mm. Please direct message here or email [email protected] 🙏

There might be some spaces left for these awesome workshops. 😊

Exciting! 😁❤️

This could be fun, Friends. 😊

This looks GLORIOUS! 😃❤️

WELCOME TAPUNGA: With former director Eloise Wallace safely installed in her new position in Southland, yesterday marked the formal handover of Tairāwhiti Museum's new director, Tapunga Nepe. It was a big day for all museum whanau – especially Tapunga's own Rongowhakaata – and the Friends are excited to see what he brings to our whare taonga. ❤️
Picture – (from left) Romia Whaanga, Tapunga Nepe, Lissa-Mia Nepe & Cynthia Sidney.

Can’t wait to see this! 😁❤️ https://tairawhitimuseum.org.nz/exhibition/moving-hands-barry-ball/

Eloise installed in Invercargill ❤️

Te Unua’s new director moved by welcome speech The new director of Invercargill’s yet-to-be-built museum was accompanied at her official welcome by iwi representatives from Gisborne.

Saturday goodness . . . 😊❤️

Don't forget Exhibit cafe is open Saturdays from 10-2, come in and enjoy our delicious smoothies, frappes and coffee ❤️ we also have plenty of gluten free or dairy free options to enjoy too!!

Dear Norm . . .

We join with many people and organisations across Gisborne in mourning the death of Norman Maclean.

Norman has been a stalwart of Gisborne’s creative community over many years, nurturing the creativity of young people and emerging artists, leading arts organisations, and as a prolific and accomplished artist – bringing much beauty and inspiration to our lives.

Norman was involved in many aspects of Tairāwhiti Museum – serving on both the museum trust board and the Friends of the Museum committee; and as an exhibitor with numerous solo and group exhibitions to his name. We are fortunate to hold a number of his works in the region’s art collection here at the museum.

Norman’s long involvement with the museum, along with his generous ongoing support to museum staff and exhibiting artists will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by our team. Our sincere condolences to his friends and family at this sad time.

image: Window on Assisi, 1992 by Norman Maclean. Tairawhiti Museum collection [16518]

Some very special Friends. ❤️

Tairāwhiti Museum honours five with life membership - The Gisborne Herald Website and daily print publication for the Gisborne region. One of only four independently owned daily newspapers in New Zealand.

Don’t forget, friends . . . It’s tonight. 😉

Spread the word, Friends

Job vacancy - Director Kaiwhakahaere

Applications close Sunday 10th December. For further information, a position profile and application information visit:
https://tairawhitimuseum.org.nz/about-us/job-vacancies/

If you would like to discuss the role please contact Eloise Wallace, Director on [email protected] or 06 867 3832.

DO COME! We’re mindful that, due to the vagaries of tech, some of our lovely Friends have not received invitations to our November 17 event. If not, here it is! Do come. We’d love to see you. 😁❤️

Artist Maiko Lewis-Whaanga crafted the work and her whanau created the food for a cross-cultural introduction to her new exhibition, Breathe, which opened tonight at Tairawhiti Museum. It’s on until December 3, Friends! 😊❤️