Hastings artistic mentor moves on

Hastings farewells the driving force behind its vibrant creative community
If you've had anything do with the Hastings art scene over the last 18 years, chances are you've come across Keith Thorsen.
He's the man behind the Blossom Festival and he's there at the HBS Summer in the Parks, on stage as MC one moment and restocking toilet paper the next.
He established and performs regularly with the Hawke's Bay Live Poets Society and works on and offstage in the annual Great Debate.
As community arts adviser for Creative Hastings, Keith has been developing and promoting art and live music in the city since arriving from Wanganui at the end of 1991. Yet his reign comes to an end next month when he takes up a position in the public programme division at the National Library in Wellington.
Lyn Mackie has worked alongside Keith for 13 years and says his departure is a huge loss for the community. "They'll be huge boots to fill; he's like a kaumatua of arts in Hastings," she says.
He brings to the role a passion for the arts and embraces it in all forms, says Lyn. And as much as he works organising events and building relationships, he's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and "get his hands dirty".
The artscape was markedly different when the published poet first arrived in the city.
"Both freezing works had been closed down and this place was in the doldrums," Keith says.
"There was only one other occupied shop in the [Russell St] block, and only two private galleries in the city that I know of. Now there's heaps."
Part of that change came about when the City Art Gallery changed its focus to exhibiting visiting artists. "I think it was a good thing [to get] that stimulation from the outside. But that meant the locals were out of a home."
The Hastings Community Arts Centre filled the void and still provides a vibrant retail and exhibition space for local artists.
It's one of Creative Hastings' greatest legacies, Keith says.
"It's there as a permanent home [for local artists] and it's very popular. It's a pretty flash one, one of the best in the country. It just has that wow factor.
"We have no selection policy except you have to live in Hawke's Bay ... You've got a whole range of artists coming in clutching their portfolios scared stiff, and we welcome that."
The building was leased to Creative Hastings but became a permanent base when it was purchased in 1993. "A group of us got together, including the late David Fine, and we thought if we don't buy this building now, we won't be able to afford to buy it later."
They raised the money through lotteries and various trusts, while local artists banded together and raised $25,000 through auctions.
But the Hawke's Bay Live Poets Society remains the project most dear to his heart. Thirteen people turned up to read poetry on the first night, who later became known as The Dirty Dozen.
In its 18-year history, Live Poets has become a stalwart on the art scene.
Keith says he is now looking forward to his new role in Wellington that allows him to play with the library's "treasure trove" of collections and connect with people who can bring those treasures to life.