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ARATOI VOICES ‘Tis the month before Christmas

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Aratoi is the place to go for Christmas presents, especially between 30th November and 5th December as for that week there is 10% off in-store purchases for Friends of Aratoi members. Just identify yourself as a member and the staff will do the rest.

If you are not a member, you can join by enquiring at the desk. You could easily recoup your $40 year’s membership when you select gifts for friends and family from the range of goods which includes jewellery, wool and mohair throws, ceramics, pottery, cards, puzzles, and calendars.

Francis Kirkham’s Huia feather earrings, Megan Young’s resin and sterling silver necklace and Kim Albrecht’s sterling silver sheep or cow medals are just some of the exquisite jewellery pieces. Kirsty Gardiner’s moth, dragonfly or bee ceramics are delightful and on a practical note, Wild Grey Fox teatowels and Lisa Donaldson’s ceramic keep cups will make a thoughtful present. Prices of the named items range from $20 to $290 so there is plenty of scope to make that 10 per cent saving.

The galleries are bursting with energy now too. Esther Bunning’s Phosphene, which integrates photography and textile design, began a few days ago, with an artist talk set for Saturday, November 27, at 11am, the same day that Natasha Cousens’ Beyond the Red Flowers opens.

Also beginning that day is Distant Kinship/Verre Verwanten, an exhibition showcasing the work of 18 printmakers from Grafiekgroep Bergen in The Netherlands and the New Zealand Print Council. It explores the artistic kinship that exists between the two countries.

As if that is not enough, preparation is well under way for the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Wairarapa Art Review 2021.

Artists have until December 3 to submit their work. Early the next week Friends of Aratoi members will assist staff in unpacking the works ready for Marcia Page, of Page Galleries in Wellington, to make her selections and allocate awards.

The organisation for opening night on December 10 has unfortunately had to be amended. Usually, the Friends of Aratoi would host the event, but this year, because of covid-19 regulations at level 2, there will be no refreshments and attendance will be limited to selected artists, sponsors, and one or two Aratoi staff, Friends committee and board members. Marcia Page will speak about the exhibition and announce the prize winners.

However, from the next morning we can all see the works, which are available for purchase.

The exhibition runs until February 13 and then all award-winning artworks will be exhibited at Schmidt Gallery in Martinborough.

Vicki Matthews of Vicki Matthews Design, a Friend of Aratoi and volunteer, delivering the Christmas decoration she made for Aratoi. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE Move from abstraction to one small action

Shannon Couper

I’m going to make an assumption here and assume that most of you care about this planet. You care about sustainable practices and how we can be better kaitiaki to Papatūānuku.

But sustainability and environmental guardianship can so often feel like a far away, abstract thing. It can be hard to know where to begin. We can get overwhelmed by the state of the world and that can paralyse us, put us into freeze response and disconnect us from our strongest values. I know, I’ve been there.

Volunteering is a way to take abstraction and turn it into one small action. Volunteering offers a channel out of the freeze state, melting us back into aliveness where we can act on what we believe in.

If you are someone who struggles with climate anxiety or climate depression, doing one small thing can go a long way.

Sustainable change starts from within – and for me, volunteering is one of the strongest demonstrations of this. When we embody the change that we want to see in the world, we are daring ourselves and those around us to imagine a new future and bring that into the now. Only through transforming ourselves can we transform the world.

One of the biggest myths that stops us from living our values is that we are alone. Isolation leaves us thinking that we can’t possibly do enough, that our actions don’t amount to anything of significance. Volunteering reminds us of a fundamental principle: that we are all connected. Recognising this is our biggest strength.

Here’s an example: last time I checked, there were an estimated 32,475 volunteers all around the world making repair cafes happen. Together those volunteers are repairing and saving 480,000 items every year from being thrown into landfills. They are also passing on repair skills – from fixing gadgets to darning socks – and helping build community.

I really encourage to try your hand at volunteering. You can be a part of creating a community that values care for each other and for the planet.

Shannon Couper is volunteer co-ordinator at the Sustainability Trust.

There are many opportunities for environmental volunteering in Wairarapa.

The Pūkaha to Kawakawa website lists over 50 groups that are involved in planting, predator control and monitoring to help restore biodiversity. https://waip2k.org.nz/

There are groups that repair items [such as the WORN Cloth Collective and Men’s Sheds] and groups that rescue and redistribute food [such as Wai Waste and Fruit Rescue Wairarapa]. There are resource and recycling centres [Ā Mua and the Wairarapa Resource Centre] and op shops.

These are just a few examples. For more ideas, you could watch your local paper and social channels. The Volunteering Wairarapa website is also a good resource https:// volwairarapa.org.nz/

A WaiWaste volunteer dropping rescued food at the Masterton Foodbank. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A HOME FOR A PET

Hi, my name is Ezra. I’m a medium-sized, mixed-breed girl, about five months old. I am looking for a home that has had experience with dogs - one that has the time and patience to help me thrive and be the best companion I know I can be. I would very much benefit from going to obedience training. I am super smart so will pick things up quickly. I would fit better in a home with older teenagers or an adult-only home. If you and your home are ready for an energetic young dog, and you think you can give me what I need, please give the team at the Masterton SPCA a call on 0800 467 732 and make an appointment to come and meet me.