by Helen Martin
With more than 60 artists in over 25 venues, Labour Weekend’s Arts in the Ville promises to be action packed. The Hat Walk, which was hugely popular last year, will be held in the War Memorial all at 4.30pm on Sunday 27 October and, on behalf of the Arts Centre, Jeff Thomson’s visual treasure hunt will be again be on all weekend, this time with a musical theme.
Among the artists showing in their home studios will be Joanne Sullivan, whose work is widely known through her bronze sculptures Phar Lap and Sir John Walker. As well as making a range of bronze works, Joanne also creates beautiful glass pieces. On the Sunday of Arts in the Ville she will open her new studio, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about her practice as a sculptor and to see progress on her latest work, a seven-foot bronze sculpture of Papatuanuku, commissioned by Kotuku Wellness Retreat, Mangawhai.
While some artists will be in their studios, others, like Jacky Pieper, will demonstrate their work in the War Memorial Hall. Jacky, who has a background as an engineer and graphic artist, and who for some time had a shop in Helensville where she sold jewellery and clothing of her own make and design, studied sculpting in France last year under Martine Vaugel and is now making busts and figurines. She is currently working towards an exhibition and is happy to take commissions.
