Local artists brighten up Kāpiti Coast streets

The streets of Kāpiti Coast are getting brighter with a new Chorus cabinet mural by local artist Ruth Mitchener, and more local artists’ murals due on cabinets in the coming months.

Chorus has partnered with Kāpiti Coast District Council to bring its cabinet art initiative to the district.

Council’s Arts, Museums and Heritage Advisor Rosie Salas says local artists submitted more than 30 designs in the competition to adorn cabinets across the district earlier this year.

“The selection panel, drawn from Community Boards and the Council’s Public Art Panel, commented that it was difficult to choose only three designs as all entries were inspirational in their own way,” says Ms Salas.

“The selected designs will be displayed on cabinets in Waikanae, Paraparaumu Beach, and Raumati with the first already completed by Ruth Mitchener.

“Ruth’s beautiful mural of locals depicted as kererū enjoying a relaxing lifestyle while reading, listening, and stretching under a beautiful Kāpiti Coast sunset can be found on Menin Road, Raumati.

“You can see Finley Cooper-Camm’s design, which features a beautiful sun setting over Kāpiti Island, taking shape in Maclean Street, Paraparaumu Beach.

Ruth Mitchener’s Raumati Chorus cabinet mural. See larger image. 

“Coming soon in Marae Lane in Waikanae is Kahurangi Tizzoni’s unique Māori design with gradients of blues and greens running behind to represent the sky and land.”

Kāpiti Coast District Mayor Janet Holborow says the district has such a wonderfully creative community and it was no surprise there was huge interest in the competition.

“Thank you to Chorus for bringing their cabinet murals to our district, they’re a great addition to other creative arts initiatives such as our Kāpiti Coast Arts Trail and Toi MAHARA Gallery.

“We’re also pleased to have a new catalogue of creatives in the community that can be approached for other street art projects.

“Be sure to look out for more murals in the district over the next few months and not just on Chorus cabinets.”

Chorus Community Relations Manager Jo Seddon says it is great to be working with Kāpiti Coast District Council to bring cabinet art to their streets.

“We receive many designs from local artists for our cabinet art programme, and we’re so pleased to get the opportunity to showcase the best from around the country,” she says.

Local artists will be out painting their cabinets in the next couple of months, so keep an eye out for them.