CROSSED PATHS

Te Huanui is looking forward to hosting a local lineup with five Canterbury-based artists for the month of May. Featuring the work of artists Lauren Carmichael , Veronica Ek, Lara Pomroy, Nic Preece and Julie Shanks , there is a beautiful eclectic mix sure to delight viewers as we view our artist’s creative journey and their crossing paths through the Canterbury art scene.

The exhibition runs from Friday, April 28th through until Thursday, May 25th, with the official opening from 6pm on Friday, April 28th, which will include drinks, nibbles and art chat. The Galley members and artists would love for you to join them.

Lauren Carmichael chooses to live her life by, “Life is a canvas, and it is our duty to paint it colourful.” It extends into her home, choice of clothes, cooking (she is a chef by trade) but most of all into her art.

Raised on a family farm in rural Canterbury, mountains, rivers and the network of the plains inspire much of Lauren’s artwork. The mediums and creative processes Lauren uses vary, she works predominantly in acrylic but also paints on fabric and papers that she then uses in mixed media works. Lauren enjoys both the solitary meditative practice of art, as well as the collaborative meeting of minds she finds through the art groups she belongs to.

Veronica Ek was born and raised in Norway, where she studied Design and Photography. She lived a fairly nomadic life in the years before moving to New Zealand, travelling around the world working at skydive clubs as a parachute packer and a ski instructor in winter. Moving to Christchurch was the first time in many years that she was not drifting from place to place, country to country, giving her the time and stability to develop her love and appreciation for painting and creating art. Veronica takes inspiration from all the places she has been, but mostly her home of Norway and the far north where the Aurora Borealis is often seen in the night sky. Oil painting has become one of her favourite mediums, lending itself perfectly for the technique of painting Auroras. This style of painting is fast becoming her staple. After trying many mediums and motifs, oil painting and memories of the northern lights always sit at the forefront of her mind and holds a special place in her heart.

Lara Pomroy was raised in a rural environment in Pleasant Point, South Canterbury and has lived in West Melton for the past twenty five years. With over twenty years experience, she is an established contemporary artist.

Lara has produced work for galleries and sold internationally over the years, but more recently, she began an art group and taught introductory classes around the kitchen bench. The response was overwhelming, leading her to establish a dedicated space, Art West Studio, to create and teach art.

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Darfield Pool

Darfield Pool will be the place to be this summer, with a swathe of exciting upgrades and new equipment being installed ahead of the swimming season.

The Selwyn District Council begun carrying out the second stage of improvements at the pool recently, which will see a hydro slide installed, as well as a new water heating system, water features for the toddler pool, and new grandstand seating.

Council Aquatics Operations Manager Nick McConaghty said, “The revamp will freshen up the popular facility and ensure visitors have a fantastic time at the pool through the warmer months.

“This is a great opportunity for Darfield. With the district’s growth continuing at pace, we need to make sure the pool remains a great place for our communities to be proud of, before further long-term decisions are made down the track,” Nick concluded. The upgrades are part of a $2.4 million redevelopment project for Darfield Pool, which is being delivered in two stages. Last year, the Council refurbished the changing rooms, painted the exterior building and replaced the fence along Greendale Road.

In addition to the hydro slide, heating system, toddler pool water features and grandstand seating being delivered in the second stage of the project, the

Council will also undertake ground works for the main pool pipe work, install acoustic fencing beside the school, erect new shading, upgrade the pool plant filtration and dosing equipment and install a new liner for the main pool. The improvements were decided on with feedback from pool visitors and Darfield Primary School. The work is being undertaken by Armitage Williams, and is expected to be completed by November.