Sculptor's plans for arts hub

BY MARGARET IRVINE

Stone carver Stephen Howell hopes to carve out a vision for arts and crafts in Kapiti.

The Raumati sculptor plans to set up an art and craft centre, where established and emerging artists and crafts people can work and promote themselves.

"My long-term aim is that the Kapiti Coast becomes a defined tourist destination benefiting all Kapiti Coast artisans and craft people."

Howell is arranging to lease the ground floor of the Statue Bargain Barn, in Paraparaumu, to establish a complex of studio workshops, retail outlets and exhibition spaces.

The huge Tongariro St second- hand store closes its doors on March 31, and Howell hopes to have the centre open by May.

He wants to hear from artists interested in renting spaces.

The building accommodates about 40, 3m by 3m, "market type" stalls, with rental starting from $50 a week, plus GST, he said.

"This enables affordable marketing for those that would not normally have the financial freedom to exhibit.

"I know there are people wanting to use their space just for exhibiting, and that's fine. But to attract visitors into the building we need to have people working at their art or craft and able to talk to visitors about their work. That will be part of the atmosphere, the essence, of the hub."

He said the building had the "character" for such a venture.

"I'll be keeping the fireplace where it is and that will be part of the community area where people can come and talk.

"There's space outside for chairs and tables in summer and that might be an ideal place for a coffee street vendor."

He would also like to see musicians or poets perform in the centre.

Howell does not want the centre to be exclusive to those working there and said he would be happy to promote other exhibitions and galleries.

Anyone interested can email creative-stone@windowslive.com.

- Kapiti Observer