June Grant selected for Artist’s Residency in USA

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To: All Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 5 February 2008

June Grant selected for Artist’s Residency in America

Rotorua artist, June Grant (Te Arawa, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Tuhourangi, Ngati Whaio) has been selected to undertake a two and a half month artist’s residency at Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington. Supported by Creative New Zealand, the Toi Sgwigwialtxw Residency is an opportunity for Māori artists to idea share and work with Native American artists.

The Toi Sgwigwialtxw Residency is an initiative administered by Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts board of Creative New Zealand. Chair of Te Waka Toi, Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku said, “For this residency we are looking for artists who will maximise the opportunity, build networks, strengthen inter-cultural relationships and develop their artistic practise while being hosted and supported by the staff of the Longhouse Education and Cultural Centre at Evergreen State University. June is an excellent choice for this residency. She is an outstanding artist, has a wealth of experience as a gallery owner and an active champion of toi ihoTM, the Maori made mark. She has a strong interest in the indigenous art of the Pacific rim and will be a great ambassador for Aotearoa”.

For June Grant, the announcement has come as a great honour. “I am overwhelmed, honoured and delighted with being selected for the residency”, she said. “The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington is a magnificent campus built in a beautiful forest. It is one of two American Universities that has a Native American Longhouse on Campus. As a result, the Native American enrolments in university courses are far greater than most other Universities, so the opportunity exists to share cultural practices with many different tribes, especially their arts, and particularly their painting practice which is of most interest to me. I am taking many blank canvases both metaphorically and in reality, and I am open to seeing what might emerge artistically from this exciting opportunity”.

June Grant will undertake the Toi Sgwigwialtxw Residency from April to June 2008. Applications for the 2009 residency close in November 2008.

For further information about the residency please contact Puawai Cairns (Tel: 04-498 0705 Email: puawai.cairns[at]creativenz.govt.nz).

ENDS

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