04 May ArtsMad Tuesday 11 May 2021
ArtsMadQuick-fire talks from the arts community
ArtsMad is a visual presentation evening that takes place four times a year, where people from the wider arts community talk about what they do alongside a rolling show reel of interesting images.The evening takes place at The Monarch Room at Prince’s Gate Hotel and explores all areas of the arts… and more. You will hear passionate and inspirational talks from members of our community delivering a veritable roller-coaster rise on a variety of topics.
Featuring up to eight speakers who each have 20 images and only 6 minutes to present them. It’s guaranteed to be a fast-paced, engaging experience!
It is a great opportunity to get together with others who are passionate about a creative and vibrant Rotorua, and to connect about creative happenings in this event for all ages.Entry is a gold coin koha. Nibbles are provided with cash bar available.
Tuesday 11 May 2021, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Monarch Room, Prince’s Gate Hotel, Rotorua
Rietta Austin
London based Rietta Austin, singer/songwriter, dancer/choreographer, vocal and performance coach, returned to her hometown Rotorua last year. Her extensive career which has taken her across the world has included: Vocal coach for X-Factor Britain’s Got Talent contestants, and Universal Records. Performing for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and in a worldwide documentary about Freddy Mercury, she has also performed for the legendary band Queen.
In 2007 Rietta was the first artist to open the O2 Arena in London prior to Bon Jovi. She has opened for Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams, Jocelyn Brown, performed with Sam Smith and is releasing a duets album with Craig Revel Horwood in 2021. Rietta has sung at Glastonbury Festival, on London’s West End and recorded on albums in NZ, Australia, Germany, USA, and UK with Dame Shirley Bassey, Falco, Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey), Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warrick, Earth Wind and Fire, Bonnie Tyler and INXS.
Since her return to NZ, alongside her continual work in the music industry, locally she has given Rotorua Music School students the opportunity to be inspired and extend their performance and vocal talents, under her tuition.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/riettaaustin.singer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rietta.singer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/riettaaustin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/riettaaustin
Kathy Nicholls
Kathy Nicholls has worked for Rotorua Lakes Council in various roles since 2011. All of those roles were highlighting and promoting how awesome Rotorua is to visitors and the community. Initially within the business events industry for Destination Rotorua Marketing, then as marketing and events at Rotorua Museum and then on to her current role as Marketing and Communications for the Arts and Culture division of council.
Part of her role is to coordinate the quarterly Rotorua Events Calendar which showcases what’s on in Rotorua. Kathy was also part of the team who created Rotorua Nui – the one-stop-shop for finding out what is happening in Rotorua, and providing a free place for event organisers and marketing teams to load and promote their events.
Find out more about Rotorua Nui at www.rotoruanui.nz
Peter Oliver
My name is Peter Oliver. I am an artistic woodworker with a passion for making unique objects in precious natural materials.
And that is about it. I just love making stuff, usually to my own design for better or worse. Jewellery, sculpture, furniture, boats….and neat stuff now for my grandkids.
Image credit: Image of Judy Prictor, created by Silke Hackbarth
Judy Prictor
Working mainly with watercolour, the inspiration for my paintings is drawn from the world around me, my home and garden, the forest and bush, and the lakes.
I am an active member of Watercolour New Zealand and exhibit at their annual exhibitions in Wellington. I also exhibit works in all mediums at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington.
The unpredictability of painting with watercolour is the exciting element for me and keeps my passion for it alive.
Mihitai Pukepuke
I am a solo, nurturing mother to my one and only daughter Nowa. Wahine toa with huge smile, and creator and owner of my own destiny.
I have a strong passion with a willingness not to give up and to live everyday like it was my last.
Image: 2020 ukulele students perform for their families. Photo by Riley Claxton
Rotorua Music School
Rotorua Music School has been providing high quality low cost music lessons to Rotorua’s community for over thirty five years. Founded by key local musicians, a kaupapa of musicianship and good will is their legacy. The spirit of RMS has been kept vital by a long line of students, tutors, committee members, and directors. We, the current RMS committee, are working to trace the pieces of our collective story to share, and are keen to hear from past tutors and students to assist with this journey.
www.facebook.com/Rotmusicschool
Ingrid Snyman
Ingrid’s days are busy with work and family life – and she is also an artist. An appreciation of beauty and taking time to be creative are essential components to her personal wellbeing. Ingrid strongly believes in the value of art as a vehicle for inclusion and community building. She believes we are all creative in our own way and need to embrace this aspect of our nature, rather than have the mindset, perhaps, that artistic expression is reserved only for the “talented”.
Over the last twenty years or so, Ingrid has delved into a range of subjects and used a wide variety of media, including pastel, paint, linocut and pencil. Her lifelong passion is, however, life drawing and this will be the topic of her presentation.
Pam Vincent
Pam is a photographer and owner/sole trader at Art United, Gallery in Rotorua, that opened its doors around 10 months ago. A grandma of four, however never too late to try something different and challenging. Photography has always been a passion and now she has been able to finally take this to the next level and incorporate it within the new business.
Over the years she has tackled a wide range of photography skills, so as to be able to confidently achieve any challenge requested of her. She will endeavour to convey this diversity in her artsMAD presentation.
Facebook: Pam Vincent Photography
Facebook: Art United Rotorua