Velkommen, Yindī txnrạb, Svāgat he, or welcome.
A visual welcome will soon adorn Motueka’s Community House, and the organising group is eager to have that message echoed through as many different cultures as possible.
In a partnership between the Motueka Arts Council and the Motueka branch of Multicultural Nelson Tasman, a mandala-inspired mural will be created for the southern wall of Community House, facing the Decks Reserve car park.
The collaborative project aims to help migrants in the Tasman area feel welcomed and valued, and Sez Fyfe, community coordinator for Multicultural Nelson Tasman, says they hope the artwork reflects as many cultures as possible. She says the spirit of kotahitanga, or unity, sits at the heart of the piece.
“Migrants will play a key role in the design and creation of the artwork, ensuring it reflects the diverse cultures that make up our community,” Sez says. “We are seeking participants from a wide range of cultural backgrounds to help bring this mural to life.”
Anyone with links to another culture is encouraged to get in touch. Sez needs the word for “welcome” in their language, as well as a symbol that represents their culture. It does not have to be an official national emblem – just “anything that resonates with you”, Sez says.
Artist Dani Louis has created the draft design and will help bring the final version together.
Two community workshops will be held on 2 May and 16 May, where participants can work with Dani to place their cultural designs directly onto the mural.
The project is funded by Tasman Creative Communities and has local sponsorship from Mitre 10 and Placemakers.
Contact: Sez Fyfe sez@multiculturalnt.co.nz.
