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Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Colossal squid opens the door to the twilight zone
Central Stories manager Paula Stephenson offers a plate of squid rings which were popular with visitors. PHOTOS: ELLA JENKINS Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery was packed with young and old enjoying a deep-sea themed evening last Thursday. The museum hosted a twilight zone-themed evening that coincided with the museum's colossal squid exhibit as well as national Youth Week. Central Stories manager Paula Stephenson said the event brought 70 children and their families to the museum. The colossal squid exhibit was loaned to the museum for a month by Te Papa and it contains actual samples from an autopsied squid. Ms Stephenson said the museum put up a dark twilight zone room to host the loaned exhibit, inspired by the dark area of the ocean with the same name which colossal squids inhabit. Michael Kelly and daughter 3-year-old Sia read about the colossal squid at the twilight zone event held at Central Stories. Little is known about the colossal squid and only a few specimens have been studied, she said. As well as the squid exhibit, there was aquatic creature-themed activities, like making your own jellyfish or biscuit decorating. For year 9 students and above there was a dark sky photography workshop hosted in the Grant Gallery by Andy Davey. Mr Davey hosted an interactive talk and when it was dark enough, attendees went outside to put what they learned into practice. Ms Stephenson said she was absolutely happy with how the event went. Enjoying one of the arts and crafts activities on offer during the evening is 8-year-old Scarlett Pritchard. "It was great to see the kids ... be able to celebrate Youth Week and for the kids to be able to take part in some of these interactive activities and learn a bit more about the colossal squid and under the sea." Nibbles and drinks were also on hand for visitors including squid rings, in keeping with the theme of the evening. The night was well received by parents, some of who had not visited the museum before. "They were quite pleasantly surprised about how amazing it was, it was very positive comments, very positive," she said. The colossal squid exhibit runs until early June and staff from Te Papa will come to return the exhibit to Wellington on June 9.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Student art front and centre
The artwork of Dunstan High School students on display at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery in celebration of Youth Week. PHOTO: ELLA JENKINS Alexandra Library and Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery hosted an exhibitions of Dunstan High School students' artwork in celebration of Youth Week. Puna Rangitahi Alexandra & Districts Youth Trust youth worker Courtney La'ulu said the idea to hold an art exhibition during youth week came from wanting to something different this year. A passion for the creative community and a desire to foster collaboration within the community gave her the idea to reach out to the Alexandra Library, Central Stories and Dunstan High School to highlight the talents of youth in Central Otago. Art from different year groups were on display at both Central Stories and the Library. A variety of artworks in different styles were provided by the Dunstan High School art department. Self-portraits, lino prints, cubism and architectural paintings were on display at Central Stories. Two sets of lockers were also on display, painted in a protest art style. "It was awesome just like being able to give the youth a space to be able to show off some of the talents for starters that we've got in our area and to be able to have them feel like they've got that place of belonging in our community as well." Ms La'ulu said the exhibition had been a huge success and she would not be surprised if the event was carried in the years to come. "We might look at getting more schools involved or doing something different, it could be a large mural or something like that," she said. Celebrating the community together for Youth Week in a creative space was something she was passionate about continuing, Ms La'ulu said.
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Celebration of pastellists hosted at Central Stories
Australian master pastellist Tricia Taylor says there is a fantastic standard of work displayed at Central Stories this month. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Pastel art is thriving in New Zealand, says a master pastellist. Tricia Taylor was in Alexandra recently to attend the Pastel Artists of New Zealand convention. She judged entries in the Pastel Artists of New Zealand National Exhibition which is now on display at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibit is a celebration of pastel art from across the country, showcasing works by both established and emerging artists. Ms Taylor said the standard of work in the exhibition was fantastic. "[There was] a variety of subject matter from portrait to landscapes, flowers and abstracts showed a range of genre that gave the exhibition a lot of interest." One painting that was also a varnished work on canvas also showed the diversity of the medium, she said. The society had different levels of membership from Masters, Distinguished artists and Artist members along with general membership, so there was artwork from each level ranging from professional artists to hobby artists. "The exhibition is well worth the look to see such a quality exhibition of pastels all in one gallery." New Zealand has had a thriving Pastel Society for more than 18 years and membership was growing, she said. Advances in the paper and pastel quality and availability was increasing all the time as pastels continued to grow in popularity. Ms Taylor said she had visited Central Otago many times. "Of course, autumn is spectacular and my favourite for painting. "I have brought artists to the area for painting holidays painting en plein air (outdoors)." She said the autumn colours and mountain ranges were always a highlight. "It is a very special and unique part of the world. "I have travelled extensively and there is nothing quite like it. "The friendliness of the people just adds that special touch to any holiday here." Ms Taylor started working in pastels in 1996 and became a Master Pastellist with the Australian Pastel Society in 2011. The exhibition runs at Central Stories until May 4.
