An arts centre at last

MELISSA KINEALY

IT WILL be party time in Mangere all weekend as residents celebrate the opening of a building they've waited 15 years for.

The doors to the new $7.5 million Mangere Arts Centre – Nga Tohu o Uenuku – open to the public tomorrow after Manukau mayor Len Brown officially opens it today.

It's the city's first purpose-built arts centre and has been in the pipeline since 1995.

And it will be as important to its people as a library or a swimming pool, manager Naomi Singer says.

The centre will put Mangere on the creative map and will be a drawcard for young people as well as established artists and performers, she says.

In a community that's rich with performing and visual artists it offers a space that will showcase existing talent and promote emerging artists, she says.

"The community has been desperate for an arts centre for this side of the city."

The centre has been attracting huge attention.

Scores of curious people have been dropping in throughout its contruction to see what all the fuss is about, Ms Singer says.

With a design that represents a Pasifika theme, the centre has a performing arts theatre, two galleries and studio space along with a foyer, offices, dressing rooms and a community kitchen.

There's a shop selling work by artists and by October there'll be a cafe and an outdoor courtyard.

The first artworks to grace the gallery space belong to the exhibition Manu Toi: Artists and Messengers.

The photography by Vinesh Kumaran and Ema Tavola captures teens at Polyfest showing off their individual styles.

Weaving by Te Aue Davis is also on show along with work by other artists including Terry Koloamatangi Klavenes and Donna Tupaea.

Ms Singer says the galleries are "new and beautiful" and can be combined into one to give the space flexibility.

Inside the theatre the whole floor is a stage. Seats can be wheeled around to create different stage configurations.

Performing arts co-ordinator Carla Hodgson says at last Mangere performers have their own venue.

"And to give them something of this calibre is really awesome."

On stage for the centre's first theatre season is Tautai, a coming-of-age story by Tokelauan-Samoan New Zealander Iaheto Ah Hi. The play starts on September 7.

This weekend's free festivities run from 10am till 11pm tomorrow and again on Sunday from noon till 4pm.

Entertainment ranges from kapa haka to the Manukau City Concert Band.

See www.manukau.govt.nz for details.

- © Fairfax NZ News