aratoi - Wairarapa Museum of Art and History

Opera at Aratoi
Anna Pierard (mezzo soprano)
and
Jose Aparicio(tenor/flautist)
Wednesday, 14 January 7.30pm

Two young opera stars make a return visit to the Wairarapa.

Aratoi presents a rare opportunity for music-lovers: an evening of song with Anna Pierard and José Aparicio, accompanied by David Harper, on Wednesday 14th of January at 7.30pm. This is a return visit by the two singers, who performed to a full house at the museum in January 2007. The programme will include songs by Rachmaninov, and solo arias and duets in the Zarzuela style (Spanish operetta). There is also something new: José, who originally trained as a flautist, will play ‘Fantasie Brilliante sur Carmen’ by Francois Borne, a fantasy based on themes from Bizet’s opera ‘Carmen’. Anna will sing arias from ‘Carmen’, and they will both perform some other opera favourites.

The event is supported by the Prior family and the Friends of Aratoi.

Main Gallery

Queen Elizabeth Park
A Very Publick Reserve
Sunday, 30 November through April

An exhibit on the history of Queen Elizabeth Park with photographs, maps, illustrations and a video program.

Lake of Remembrance, Swan Boat, 1920

Windows Gallery

Thrust Wingman Thrust
New work by Ian Chapman
Friday, 19 December through Sunday, 1 February

Wesley Wing

Angels, Saints, Clocks & Lighthouses

made by Mexican & Guatemalan artists
and Ian St George
Saturday, 5 December through Friday, 23 January

Wairarapa Whakaputa Mohio - Settling the Land

The new history exhibit at Aratoi is now open to the public. The exhibit spans the 800 year history of the Wairarapa.

Tamahau Mahupuku's chair

Foyer

Jewelry by assorted local artists

Visit Agnes Coy's Jewelry and Textile Website

Sara Sarich

"Kiwi Keepsakes" by Sara Sarich

Visit Sara's Website

Deborah Walsh

Davina Ewing

Rutherford Trust Collection now stored at Aratoi

The Rutherford Collection, including works by Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, Rita Angus, Max Gimblett, John Weeks and Toss Woollaston, totals 147 artworks. Works will be available for loan to other galleries and museums.

New Rutherford racks

New storage racks

New Rutherford racks

New storage racks

New Rutherford racks

New storage racks

A purpose designed mezzanine floor has been constructed in the climate controlled collection store room to house new painting storage racks. These sliding racks enable the collection to be mounted without allowing individual paintings to touch one another.

The Rutherford Trust Collection

The arrival of the Rutherford Trust Collection at Aratoi in 2006 greatly enhances the existing collection. The Aratoi collection, amassed over 36 years of existence as the Wairarapa Arts Centre and (since 2002) Aratoi, has been largely reliant on bequests and donated work. There has been little in the kitty for the purchase of art works. To have access to a collection as wide-ranging and contemporary as the Rutherford is a great asset. Below are a few sample works.

Gordon Walters

Gordon Walters - Tamaki -1983, Rutherford Trust Collection

Michael Cuby - Saloon - In Walked Bud - 1996, Rutherford Trust Collection

David Armitage

David Armitage - Acrobat -1989, Rutherford Trust Collection

The collection includes landscape painting by Rita Angus, Don Binney, Colin McCahon, John Bevan Ford, Doris Lusk, Michael Smither, William Sutton, Toss Woollaston and Brent Wong.

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