La Fiesta number nine is under way, and it has been an enthralling ride. Our opening event featuring Whanganui's first-in-the-world One Billion Rising celebrations in Majestic Square resonated with love. It was a joy to see the hundreds of folk who turned out to dance with us, to experience the array of stalls on offer, and to enjoy some exhilarating performances on stage. Mayor Hamish McDouall echoed the call to celebrate women and unify communities, and his dancing was jubilant. Engaging leadership, from the grass roots, to the highest levels of government is one of the key ways that we can work together to create change. Having a mayor that cares is at once symbolic and significant to this.
Mandi Lynn's Finding Venus project certainly captured the women of Whanganui as 21 golden goddesses turned up to experience her uniquely powerful and confronting photo shoot. Over the course of an evening some remarkable transformations took place. Challenging our idea of female beauty is integral to this creative project, and it is deeply personal. This remarkable body of work [pun intended] is being filmed with the hope that the resulting documentary will feature on the international film festival circuit. It was certainly a privilege to be part of bringing this project to Whanganui, and exciting to consider that some of our fiesta activities may feature in the documentary.
Our launch celebrations continued over the weekend as we opened the first of two feature exhibitions this La Fiesta. WO:MAN, women as seen by men, can be viewed at Space Studio and Gallery on Taupo Quay until March 2. This exhibition features the work of nine male artists with a contribution that represents their view of women. Every La Fiesta a deliberate focus of the programme has included opportunities to showcase supportive men in our community who do interesting and sometimes extraordinary things to empower women, and to allow us all to collectively shine. The premise of the WO:MAN exhibition was to do exactly that. It is a very visible and deliberate way to demonstrate that men are an integral part of all of our conversations about generating change, developing courageous leadership and championing equality. You can also view the exhibition in the gallery this coming Saturday evening when the La Fiesta Night Market takes place in the studio spaces upstairs at Space from 5.30pm. As well as the chance to enjoy the array of art and craft stalls on offer, there's also the opportunity to take a sneak peek at the working studio artists who help to make Space the lively creative place that it is. All inspired by the hard-working and indomitable gallery owner Sarah Williams.
Rita Dibert launches the second of the festival's feature exhibitions this Saturday afternoon at the Art Centre, also on Taupo Quay. Having held another colourful and successful Kimono Sale last Friday, Rita's contributions take a rather different turn with her celebration of older women across our community. At 70 features the photographic portraits of 36 women ranging in age from 70 through to 90-something. This vital exhibition has resulted from years of thoughtful planning and photographing, and is a testament to the wisdom and beauty of the marvellous women who agreed to participate. Join us for the celebratory opening this Saturday from 3pm.
The team at the Women's Network is particularly excited to bring you Frocks On Bikes again. Join us this Sunday from 2pm! This iconic event began as a celebration of women and the bicycle. The idea is to dress up however you like, whether it's a fancy frock, a stylish suit, or your favourite super hero outfit. Ultimately, the message is that you don't have to be sporty or to get kitted out in lycra to enjoy a ride around town. Everyone is welcome. There are lots of uniquely diverse events to enjoy during this ninth year of La Fiesta! We wish there was space in the paper to showcase each of them in more depth.
