Quartz Museum brave new venture

121115JSRudd. Rick Rudd in his gallery.

MIKE: Having had my days dominated by the demands of Virginia Woolf for the past few weeks, I was able to relax slightly last week once the production got underway. On Thursday morning I decided to visit some of our galleries, and started with one new to me, The Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics. I got no further! The museum is Rick Rudd's brainchild and a brave new venture, situated in Munford House, in Bates St. Opened earlier this month, it represents a huge addition to the cultural life of Whanganui.
The foyer on the ground floor is flanked by several small rooms, each assigned to a different artist. For the moment I will mention only one, which displays works by Ross Mitchell-Anyon, whose gradual, determined recovery from his horrific accident is a relief to all of us. Items have been loaned by 10 owners of Ross's works. As we surveyed the layout, Rick said it had been "nice to bring his children back together". The main area downstairs contains the history of the development of New Zealand pottery from 1960 to the present. Examples of many potters' works are on view, a stand-out being a large bowl by Mirek Smisek, a potter we remember from our earliest days here, as we often passed his workshop near SH1, close to Waikanae.There are two small rooms off this area. One is Rick's Archive Room with a small collection of international pottery. The other is dedicated to the Annual Installation, where an artist receives money towards materials, transport and set-up of his/her works, which are then on display for a full year, though the artist retains ownership. The first recipient of the award is Christchurch based Blue Black.
My appetite whetted by the ground floor exhibits, I climbed to the first floor and was amazed by the amount of pottery on display, the people-friendly arrangement, the whole atmosphere. Items by Barry Brickell are on show, including two stoneware iconic Fatso Jugs, examples of his humorous talent. Others are of terracotta, my favourite the sinuous, sensuous, large and lovely Spiromorph.
The rest of the floor is devoted to Rick's own works set out in chronological order, beginning with items from his early years in the UK, via his raku pieces over the best part of two decades and on to his subsequent development. This latter started in 1992, when he received a QE Arts Council grant, enabling him to obtain a large kiln and experiment with new glazes and firings. His large pieces date from this period, as well as works with coloured glazes, one layered over another. An interesting personal touch is Rick's family tree with photographs hanging on the wall. Of course, there had to be a teapot room! Ingenious shapes, many charcoal grey, some brightly coloured, fill this space, offering an insight into his trademark creation. And then, an open space with some of Rick's BIG works! Two inviting settees, a softly bubbling water feature and several attractive pieces produce a genuine serenity to this room. I wanted to sit quietly there to absorb it all, but that will be for my next visit. A beautiful, tranquil spot!
Rick's museum is a tremendous boost to the artistic culture of our city, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
JOAN: I have thoroughly enjoyed each of our Community Choir's concerts over the past year. I love their exuberance and obvious joy in singing as much as the moods that they create with their voices. Last Saturday, at the Central Baptist Church, they presented the large audience with a Smorgasbord of Music. What a great idea! Divided into starters, entree, mains and dessert, their choice of items gave us a revue of many of their previous successes, divided into a perfect meal.
The fare on offer ranged from traditional songs to Christmas carols through songs from musical theatre and well-loved contemporary songs. I love to watch Lynn Whiteside when she is conducting her choir. Her vivacious personality, radiant and encouraging smile keep the choir focused and confident. You can allow your eyes to wander over the singers and each maintains his or her energy and delivers of their very best.
The soloists we listened to were quite wonderful. Andrew Fawcett, choir member and actor, gave a great rendition of the patter song from Pirates of Penzance, the Major General Song, decked out for the part and word perfect! Te Paerata Tichbon is a leading light on the music scene at High School. I can see why his talent and popularity as guitarist and singer has found him a place at Delicious cafe to sing. Our witty and warm compere, Craig Cleveland, mentioned that Te Paerata also excelled in Sydney when the High School Choir performed at the Opera House there. He played and sang two very haunting pieces and I would have liked to have heard more. Two young musicians from Collegiate School performed magnificently. Angela Wu is a Grade 8 flautist, tutored by our wonderful Ingrid Culliford. Angela played Gounod's delicate Concertina, her look belying her natural strength and confidence. Karen Lau's violin performance of a piece by Smetana was thrilling. I was intrigued by what seemed, remote and removed facial expression yet at the same time she gave so much feeling to her rendition. Two unassuming young ladies with so much talent and individuality.
Of course the Boessenkool girls were in evidence. Jeanli accompanied the choir with her usual total absorption and Lisa turned her pages!
This was a relaxed and yet absorbing afternoon. Thank you once again to our wonderful choir, soloists , compere, accompanists and conductor, not to forget Pam and Morris Richards offering us all a warm welcome at the door!
JOAN: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? has only this Friday and Saturday to play. We are having a great run and the cast have received many compliments. I have fulfilled an ambition in being able to direct this play. I hope, if you have not already done so, that you will come along and give it a go this weekend.